"I don't see what other reason you can have for backing down as you have."
"Listen, Roland. There is more than oneway of arriving at a result, but there is always one way that is wiser than any other. Now it would not be wise for me to treat Oliver in such a way as to create unfavorable comment in the village."
"What do you care for what people in the village think?" asked Roland bluntly. "Haven't you got the money?"
"Yes."
"And Oliver hasn't a cent?"
"He has nothing except what I choose to give him."
"Good!" said Roland with satisfaction. "I hope you don't mean to give him as much as you do me," he added.
"Not in the end. Just at present I may."
"I don't see why you should."
"Then you must be content to take my word for it, and trust to my judgment. In the end you may be assured that I shall look out for your interests, and that you will be far better off than Oliver."