"You mean Mr. Craven?"
"Of course. He is your step-father, isn't he?"
"I suppose he is, but I don't like to think of him in that way."
"Is he disagreeable, then?"
"He treats me well enough," said Frank, slowly; "but, for all that, I dislike him. His appearance, his manners, his soft voice and stealthy ways are all disagreeable to me. As he is my mother's husband, I wish I could like him, but I can't."
"I don't wonder at it, Frank. I don't fancy him myself."
"Somehow, everything seems changed since he came. He seems to separate my mother from me."
"Well, Frank, I suppose you must make the best of it. If he doesn't interfere with you, that is one good thing. Some step-fathers would, you know."
"He hasn't, so far; but sometimes I fear that he will in the future."