At last he sat back in his chair.

"Do you ken what is going on, man ?" he demanded, "or do you no ken?
I can stand this doubt no longer." A less soft-hearted person might have affected not to understand, but that was not Tommy's way.

"I know, Aaron," he admitted.

"I have known all the time." It was said in the kindliest manner, but its effect on Aaron was not soothing.
"Curse you!" he cried, with extraordinary vehemence, "you have been playing wi' me a' the time, ay, and wi' him and wi' her!" What had Aaron been doing with Tommy?
But Tommy did not ask that.
"I am sorry you think so badly of me," he said quietly.

"I have known all the time, Aaron, but have I interfered ?" "Because you ken she winna take him.