“You were very violent, very unjust; but let it all go, Rodney. I treasure no unkind feelings.”
“I think, to be more exact, that I called you a damned cur,” Merriam went on, “and it would be a source of real annoyance to me to have you think for a moment that I have changed my mind. I want to have a word with you about Zelda. She has chosen to go to live with you—”
“Very loyal, very noble of her. I’m sure I appreciate it.”
“I hope you do. She doesn’t understand what a contemptible hound you are, and I don’t intend to tell her. And you may be quite sure that her Aunt Julia will never tell her how you treated her mother,—how you made her life a curse to her. I don’t want you to think that because I have let you alone these ten years I have forgotten or forgiven you. I wouldn’t trust you to do anything that demanded the lowest sense of honor or manhood.”
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.”