There was no sign of anger or even resentment in Ezra’s face. His inevitable smile died away in a sickly grin, but he said nothing.
“With this little preface I think you will understand that what I have sought you out for is not to ask favors but to give orders, in view of Zee’s return.”
“But Rodney, Rodney,--that matter needs no discussion. I shall hope to make my daughter happy in her father’s house--I am her natural protector--”
“You are, indeed; but a few instructions from me will be of great assistance, Ezra.”
Dameron sat down, changing his position restlessly several times, so that the loose nails in his pockets jingled.
“To begin with,” Merriam continued, “I want you to understand that the first time I hear you have mistreated that girl or in any way made her uncomfortable I shall horsewhip you in front of the post-office. The second time I shall cowhide you in your own house, and the third offense I shall punish either by shooting you or taking you out and dropping you into the river, I haven’t fully decided which. I expect you to provide generously for her out of the money her mother left her. If you haven’t squandered it there ought to be a goodly sum by this time.”
“I fear she has acquired expensive tastes abroad. Julia always spent money wastefully.”
Dameron smiled and shook his head deprecatingly, with his air of martyrdom. When Merriam shifted from one foot to the other, Dameron started uneasily.
“You ugly hypocrite, talking about expensive tastes! I suppose you have let everybody you know imagine that it has been your money that has kept Zee abroad. It’s like you, and you’re certainly a consistent beast. As I was saying, I mean that you shall treat her well, not according to your own ideas, but mine. I want you to brace up and try to act or look like a white man. You’ve got to keep enough servants in that old shell of yours to take care of it. You must be immensely rich by this time. You haven’t spent any money for twenty years; and you’ve undoubtedly profited well in your handling of what Margaret left Zee. That was like Margaret, to make you trustee of her child’s property, after the dog’s life you had led her! You may be sure that it wasn’t because she had any confidence in you, but because she had borne with you bravely, and it was like her to make an outward show of respect for you from the grave. And I suppose she hoped you might be a man at last for the girl’s sake. The girl’s her mother over again; she’s a thoroughbred. And you--I suppose God tolerates you on earth merely to make Heaven more attractive.”