If there hadna been you I should hae become the father to her I craved to be; but you had mesmerized her; she had eyes for none but you.

I sent you to the herding, meaning to break your power over her, and all she could think o' was my cruelty in sindering you.

Syne you ran aff wi' her to London, stealing her frae me.

I was without her while she was growing frae lassie to woman, the years when maybe she could hae made o' me what she willed.

Magerful Tam took the mother frae me, and he lived again in you to tak' the dochter." "You really think me masterful--me!" Tommy said, smiling.
"I suppose you never were!" Aaron replied ironically.
"Yes," Tommy admitted frankly, "I was masterful as a boy, ah, and even quite lately.