Запретный лес

           Isummonnowinthisplaceallpoordeludedsinnerstoconfessionandrepentance,forinthestrengthoftheLordIwillgoforward,andwoebetothosethathardentheirhearts."

           Buthiswordsseemedtobedrivenbackuponhimbythesteelysilence.Hesawhiselders--theheavywhitefaceofChasehope,thelongsanctimoniousjowlofPeterPennecuik,theimpishmouthofSpotswoodthemillernowcomposedinanaliengravity,thedarksullennessofMirehope--theyrelishedhisvigour,buttheireyeswerehardasstones.Andthefolkbehindthem,menandwomen,oldandyoung,wereattentivelyapathetic.Therewasnoneofthecryingandweepingandthespasmsofconvictionwhichhadattendedthefast-dayserviceoftheministerofBold.Weretheyacongregationofinnocentstowhomhissummonshadnoapplication?Orweretheysothirledtotheirevil-doingthathisappealswerenomorethananidlewind?

           HisSessioncongratulatedhimonhisdiscourse.

           "Yehadagaleonyourspiritthisday,Mr.Sempill,"saidChasehope."Yonwasafinewafto’theWordyegie’dus,andit’stobehopedthatitwillbeblessedtomany."

           AsDavidlookedatthepalecheeksandtheredhairofthemanhehadasuddenassurance.Itwasamildday,butEphraimCairdworeastripofflannelasifhewerenursingacold.Andwastherenotadiscolorationoftheskinaroundhisfleshyjawandadarkbruisebelowhisleftear?

           NextdayDavidsoughtoutAmosRitchie,thesmith.HelearnedthatthemanwasonajobatNetherWindyways,andhewatchedforhimonthehill-roadashereturnedintheevening.