Запретный лес
VI. The Black Wood by Night
HewouldratherhaveMr.Fordyce’sjudgmentthanthatoftheBoanergesofBoldorthesleekministerofKirkAller.Hisdoubtswerenotresolved,buttheveryuncertaintygavehimease.Hewasnotyetcalledtorenunciation,andhavingreachedthisconclusion,hecouldletthememoryofParadisesweepbackintohismindinadelightfulflood.
Yetyouthcannotbehappyinindecision.Davidlongedforsomedutywhichwouldabsorbthestronglifethatwasinhim.Why,ohwhywashenotasoldier?Heturnedtohisparish,andtriedtoengrosshimselfinitscares.Itmayhavebeenthathisperceptionwassharpenedbyhisownmentalconflicts,butheseemedtodetectastrangenessinWoodilee.
Ithadbeenafinespring,withadryseed-bed,andthesowingofcropsandthelambinghadpassedoffwell.Theleancattlehadstaggeredoutofbyresandclosestotheyounggrass,andtheirribswerenowcoveredagain.Uponthehillslambsnolongertotteredonweaklegs.Therewasmorefoodintheplace,fortherehadbeenfeastsofbraxymutton,andthehenswerelayingagain,andtherewasmilkinthecogies.Thefacesofthepeoplehadlosttheirwinterstrain;thegirlshadwashedtheirs,andfreshcheeksandbrighteyesweretobeseenontheroads.Woodileehadrevivedwiththespring,butDavidashewentamongthefolksawmorethananincreaseinbodilywell-being....Therewasaqueerundercurrentofexcitement--orwasitexpectation?--andthethingwassecret.
Everyonedidnotsharethis.Thereseemedtobeaninnercircleintheparishwhichwaslinkedtogetherbysomeprivatebond.
