“But my own aunt and cousin! I hope all my money isn’t lent to my relatives.”
“No; relatives are poor pay,” said the old man, and he rubbed his hands together and chuckled; but he was pondering the matter seriously. At that moment he really needed all the money he could accumulate, and he had every intention of bringing suit on the Merriam notes and foreclosing the mortgage; but, after all, the amount was small, and it was better to let Zelda have her way than to risk an appeal to her uncle, who might take it into his head to ask embarrassing questions about the condition of the trusteeship. Ezra Dameron had gone his own way so long that the idea of submitting his affairs to the scrutiny of another was altogether repugnant to him.
“My dear child, your kindness of heart pleases me. It is a very beautiful Christian spirit that prompts you to help carry another’s burdens.”
He bent his head slightly; he was afraid to refuse to grant Zelda’s wish; but perhaps in permitting her to help her unfortunate relatives he would gain the favor of Heaven.
“I will draw the notes from the bank and let the matter rest for the present, Zee, if you very much wish it.”
“If that will save them further trouble, that will do.”
“I shall give the bank notice in a day or two,” said Dameron, reluctantly. He wished that Zelda would go. He did not at all like the idea of having her visit him in his office, and to-day he was engrossed with important computations. He wished to be rid of her, but she rose so suddenly that he was startled.
“Why, father, I couldn’t think of troubling you with a thing of this sort when you’re doing it as a favor to me! What bank is it? The one where I keep my account? Oh, I know them over there. I’m going down that way anyhow, and I’ll tell them you don’t want those notes collected. Thank you ever so much.”
“No, no; I’ll have to see about it personally. You mustn’t interfere in the matter at all!” he almost shouted at her. But she had no idea of trusting him, and she walked straight toward the door, at which she turned.
“It’s splendid of you to let me do it. And please don’t be late for dinner again to-night. It’s a new trick of yours, and Polly doesn’t like it at all. Good-by.”