You stood before her crowing the whole day.

I said the now I wished you would go and leave her wi' me: but I wouldna dare to keep her; she's helpless without you; if you took your arm awa frae her now, she would tumble to the ground." "I fear it is true, Aaron," Tommy said, with bent head.

"Whether she is so by nature, or whether I have made her so, I cannot tell, but I fear that what you say is true." "It's true," said Aaron, "and yours is the wite.

There's no life for her now except what you mak'; she canna see beyond you.

Go on thinking yoursel' a wonder if you like, but mind this: if you were to cast her off frae you now, she would die like an amputated hand." To Tommy it was like listening to his doom.