What does it mean to "act the squire" ??

Question

I'm reading Truman Capote's "In Cold Blood" and the sentence used is, "She had never know him to "act the squire", or to take advantage or break a promise." (pg.36)

Answer 1

To act like you have importance or authority.

Answer 2

It means to put on airs, be stuck-up and look down on the peasants (the rest of us) when one doesn't have a title.

Wikipedia:  In feudal or medieval times a squire was a man-at-arms in the service of a knight, often as his apprentice. In later centuries, the term's meaning shifted. Squires are often known in current day as wealthy landowning people in rural England.

Answer 3

I'm pretty sure he's referring to William Makepeace Thackeray's depiction of a squire in Vanity Fair, which depicted the squire to be lecherous, ill-educated, badly mannered relic of an earlier age, and who rule society on outdated traditions.

Answer 4

It means that you have accomplished some of what you need to do to get the job--you're doing the right things. Keep up the good work. They hope you will apply for the job, because you are looking like an attractive applicant.