RAMSDEN. [sulkily] Put it yourself, then. TANNER. I will. Ann: Ramsden thinks I am not fit be your guardian; and I quite agree with him. He considers that if your father had read my book, he wouldn't have appointed me. That book is the disgraceful action he has been talking about. He thinks it's your duty for Rhoda's sake to ask him to act alone and to make me withdraw. Say the word and I will. ANN. But I haven't read your book, Jack. TANNER. [diving at the waste-paper basket and fishing the book out for her] Then read it at once and decide. RAMSDEN. If I am to be your guardian, I positively forbid you to read that book, Annie. [He smites the table with his fist and rises]. ANN. Of course, if you don't wish it. [She puts the book on the table]. TANNER. If one guardian is to forbid you to read the other guardian's book, how are we to settle it? Suppose I order you to read it! What about your duty to me? ANN. [gently] I am sure you would never purposely force me into a painful dilemma, Jack. RAMSDEN. [irritably] Yes, yes, Annie: this is all very well, and, as I said, quite natural and becoming. But you must make a choice one way or the other. We are as much in a dilemma as you. ANN. I feel that I am too young, too inexperienced, to decide. My father's wishes are sacred to me. MRS WHITEFIELD. If you two men won't carry them out I must say it is rather hard that you should put the responsibility on Ann. It seems to me that people are always putting things on other people in this world. RAMSDEN. I am sorry you take it that way. ANN. [touchingly] Do you refuse to accept me as your ward, Granny? RAMSDEN. No: I never said that. I greatly object to act with Mr Tanner: that's all. MRS. WHITEFIELD. Why? What's the matter with poor Jack? TANNER. My views are too advanced for him. RAMSDEN. [indignantly] They are not. I deny it. ANN. Of course not. What nonsense! Nobody is more advanced than Granny. I am sure it is Jack himself who has made all the difficulty. Come, Jack! Be kind to me in my sorrow. You don't refuse to accept me as your ward, do you? TANNER. [gloomily] No. I let myself in for it; so I suppose I must face it. [He turns away to the bookcase, and stands there, moodily studying the titles of the volumes]. ANN. [rising and expanding with subdued but gushing delight] Then we are all agreed; and my dear father's will is to be carried out. You don't know what a joy that is to me and to my mother! [She goes to Ramsden and presses both his hands, saying] And I shall have my dear Granny to help and advise me. [She casts a glance at Tanner over her shoulder]. And Jack the Giant Killer. [She goes past her mother to Octavius]. And Jack's inseparable friend Ricky-ticky-tavy [he blushes and looks inexpressibly foolish].