He had a very clear warning.

He has chosen to defy me.
I only regret, madam, that the law has no hold upon you also." She turned from him scornfully and laid her hand upon my father's shoulder.

Her very touch seemed to impart life to him.

His words were not very coherent, but they were comprehensible.
"I kept my word, Ray.

Yes, I kept my word," he said.