Запретный лес
I. The Coming of the Minister
Onedoorledfromittothesolitaryguest-chamber;anothertoatinyhearthlessroom,whichwashisstudyorcloset,andwhichatthemomentrankedinhismindasthemostmiraculousofhispossessions.
Davidrangedaroundlikeaboybackfromschool,andindeedwithhisthick,sandyhairandruddycountenanceandslim,straightbackheseemedscarcelytohaveoutgrowntheschoolboy.Hespiltthebrowstinthebrewhouse,andmadeaspectacleofhimselfwithpease-mealinthegirnel.Isobelwatchedhimanxiouslyoutofdoors,wherehesampledthefruitoftheappletrees,andwithvariousrejectedspecimenstookshotsatastarlingintheglebe.Then,inresponsetohisshouts,shebroughthimabasinofwaterandhewashedoffthedustofhismorningride.TheAugustsunfellwarmonthelittleyard;thesoundoftheburnintheglen,theclackofthekirktonsmithy,thesheepfaroffonWindyways,thebeesintheclovegillyflowers,allmeltedintothesoothinghumofamoorlandnoontide.Theministersmiledashescrubbedhischeeks,andIsobel’slittleoldpuckeredapple-huedfacesmiledback."Ay,sir,"shesaid,"ourlinesisfallenintilagoodlyplaceandapleasanthabitation.TheLordbethankit."Andashecriedaferventamenandtossedthetowelbacktoher,astiratthefrontdoorbetokenedhisfirstvisitors.
Thesewerenolessthanthreeinnumber,neighbouringministerswhohadriddenoverontheirgarronstobidtheyoungmanwelcometoWoodilee.
