Запретный лес
I. The Coming of the Minister
TheReverendEbenezerProudfoot,fromthemoorlandvillageofBold,wasofadifferentcast.Heworethecoarsegreyhomespunofthefarmer,hishead-coveringwasabluebonnet,hisshoeswerethickbrogueswithleatherties,andhehaddonnedapairofancientfriezeleggings.Amassivesinewyfigure,therewasinhisnarrowfaceandsmallblueeyesanairofrudepowerandfieryenergy.Thethird,Mr.JamesFordycefromtheneighbouringparishofCauldshaw,wasslightandthin,andpaleeitherfromill-healthorfrommuchstudy.Hewasdressedinwornblue,andevenintheAugustsunkepthisplaidroundhisshoulders.Inhisfaceafinebrowwasmarredbythecontractionofhisleanjawsandamouthpuckeredconstantlyasifindoubtorpain,butredeemedbybrowneyes,assoftandwistfulasagirl’s.
Atthehourofnoontheysatdowntomeat.Mr.Muirheadsaidalengthygrace,which,sincehesniffedthesavourfromthekitchen,hebeganappropriatelywith"BountifulJehovah."Allthedishesweresetoutatonceonthebaredealtable--abowlofbarleykail,aboiledfowl,thetwobranderedgrouse,andaplatterofoatcakes.ThemerchantinthePleasanceofEdinburghhadgivenhissonabetterplenishingthanfelltotheusuallotofministers,fortherewerepewterplatesandaknifeandaforkforeachguest.Thethreestaredatthesplendour,andMr.Proudfoot,asiftotestifyagainstluxury,preferredtopicktheboneswithhishands.Thehome-brewedalewasgood,andallexceptMr.Fordycedidfulljusticetoit,sothatthesingletankard,passedfromhandtohand,wasoftenrefilledbyIsobel."Man,Mr.
