Запретный лес
VI. The Black Wood by Night
"Seeandbehameingudetimeforyoursupper--I’vearaleguidyowe-milkkebbuck[cheese]forye,andanewbakin’o’cakes--andI’llhaethecan’leslichtitinyourchamberforyoutogettoyourbooks."
Hesmiledathishousekeeper."Whythiscarefulness?"hesaid.
Shelaugheduneasily."Naethingbyordinar.Butthisisthedaytheyca’theRood-MassandthemornistheBeltane,anditbehovesa’decentbodiestobeindoorsatthedarkenin’onBeltane’sEve.Myfaitherwasabauldman,buthewadnahavestirredafitoverhisaindoorsteponthenighto’Rood-Massforaking’sransom.There’sanitherBeltaneontheauchtdayofMay,andtillthat’sbywemaunwalkeidently."
"Oldwives’tales,"hesaid.
"Butthey’renaneauldwives’tales.They’rethetaleso’wisemenandbauldmen."
"IthoughtofwalkingintheWood."
"Mercyonus!"shecried."Ye’llnogangneartheWud.Noonthisdayo’a’days.It’sfou’o’bogles."
Herinsistencevexedhim,andhespoketohersharply.Theheavypreoccupationofhismindhadputhimoutofpatiencewithfolly."Woman,"hecried,"whatconcernhasaservantofGodwiththeseheathenfables?Thinkshametorepeatsuchfolly."
ButIsobelwasnotconvinced.Sheretiredindudgeontoherkitchen,andwatchedhismovementstillheleftthehouseasamotherwatchesadefiantchild."Ye’llbehameinguidtime?"shebegged.
"IwillbehomewhenIchoose,"hesaid,andtoshowhisindependenceheputsomecheeseandbannocksinhispockets.
Theafternoonwaswarmandbright,withathinhazeonthehighesthills.
