I must say I am surprised to find Mr Tanner named as joint guardian and trustee with myself of you and Rhoda. [A pause. They all look portentous; but they have nothing to say. Ramsden, a little ruffled by the lack of any response, continues] I don't know that I can consent to act under such conditions. Mr Tanner has, I understand, some objection also; but I do not profess to understand its nature: he will no doubt speak for himself. But we are agreed that we can decide nothing until we know your views. I am afraid I shall have to ask you to choose between my sole guardianship and that of Mr Tanner; for I fear it is impossible for us to undertake a joint arrangement. ANN. [in a low musical voice] Mamma-- MRS WHITEFIELD. [hastily] Now, Ann, I do beg you not to put it on me. I have no opinion on the subject; and if I had, it would probably not be attended to. I am quite with whatever you three think best. Tanner turns his head and looks fixedly at Ramsden, who angrily refuses to receive this mute communication. ANN. [resuming in the same gentle voice, ignoring her mother's bad taste] Mamma knows that she is not strong enough to bear the whole responsibility for me and Rhoda without some help and advice. Rhoda must have a guardian; and though I am older, I do not think any young unmarried woman should be left quite to her own guidance. I hope you agree with me, Granny? TANNER. [starting] Granny! Do you intend to call your guardians Granny? ANN. Don't be foolish, Jack. Mr Ramsden has always been Grandpapa Roebuck to me: I am Granny's Annie; and he is Annie's Granny. I christened him so when I first learned to speak. RAMSDEN. [sarcastically] I hope you are satisfied, Mr Tanner. Go on, Annie: I quite agree with you. ANN. Well, if I am to have a guardian, CAN I set aside anybody whom my dear father appointed for me? RAMSDEN. [biting his lip] You approve of your father's choice, then? ANN. It is not for me to approve or disapprove. I accept it. My father loved me and knew best what was good for me. RAMSDEN. Of course I understand your feeling, Annie. It is what I should have expected of you; and it does you credit. But it does not settle the question so completely as you think. Let me put a case to you. Suppose you were to discover that I had been guilty of some disgraceful action--that I was not the man your poor dear father took me for. Would you still consider it right that I should be Rhoda's guardian? ANN. I can't imagine you doing anything disgraceful, Granny. TANNER. [to Ramsden] You haven't done anything of the sort, have you? RAMSDEN. [indignantly] No sir. MRS. WHITEFIELD. [placidly] Well, then, why suppose it? ANN. You see, Granny, Mamma would not like me to suppose it. RAMSDEN. [much perplexed] You are both so full of natural and affectionate feeling in these family matters that it is very hard to put the situation fairly before you. TANNER. Besides, my friend, you are not putting the situation fairly before them.