“Not at all,” she said. “Didn't Professor MacLauchlan say he was dissipated?”
“O, just a little wild. Got going with some loose companions. Out here there would be no temptation.”
“I am not at all sure of that,” said his wife, “and I would not like Hughie to be under his influence.”
“MacLauchlan says he is a young man of fine disposition and of fine parts,” argued her husband, “and if temptation were removed from him he believes he would turn out a good man.”
Mrs. Murray shook her head doubtfully. “He is not the man to put Hughie under just now.”
“What are we to do with Hughie?” replied her husband. “He is getting no good in the school as it is, and we cannot send him away yet.”
“Send him away!” exclaimed his wife. “No, no, not a child like that.”
“Craven might be a very good man,” continued her husband. “He might perhaps live with us. I know you have more than enough to do now,” he added, answering her look of dismay, “but he would be a great help to Hughie with his lessons, and might start him in his classics. And then, who knows what you might make of the young man.”
Mrs. Murray did not respond to her husband's smile, but only replied, “I am sure I wish I knew what is the matter with the boy, and I wish he could leave school for a while.”
“O, the boy is all right,” said her husband, impatiently. “Only a little less noisy, as far as I can see.”