Запретный лес
I. The Coming of the Minister
Rutherfordhimself?Ay,andintheBishops’Waryou’llmindhowAmosRitchiewasstaunchtoupholdtheCovenantwiththeauldmatchlockthathadbeenhisgudesire’s.There’snolackoftruereligioninWoodilee."
"There’snolackofcarnalpride,Mr.Mungo.ThefolkofWoodileearereadyenoughforanystramashinKirkorState.Butwhatoftheirperishingsouls,Iask?AretheystrivingtogetagripofChrist,asabirdscrapeswithitsclawsatastonewall?Anddotheybringforthworksmeetforrepentance?"
"TherewasnoclashofcauldmoralityinworthyMr.Macmichael,"saidMr.Proudfootsourly.
"IstherethespiritofGodinthepeople?That’swhatIwanttoken.There’sillstoriesinthecountrysideanentWoodilee.TheBlackWoodcouldtellsometalesifthetreescouldtalk."
Mr.Muirhead,havingfinishedhismealandsaidasecondgrace,waspickinghisteethingreatgood-humour.
"Hoottoots,Mr.James,you’llgiveouryoungbrotherascunneroftheplace,towhichithaspleasedtheAlmightytocallhim,beforehehashadalookatithimself.I’mnotdenyingthattheWoodisowernearWoodilee.It’sawanchancythingforanyparochinetohaveamuckleblackforestflungarounditlikeamaud[plaid].AndnodoubttheDevilwalksaboutlikearoaringlioninWoodileeasinotherbits.Butthere’smenofGodheretoresisthim.Itellyou,sirs,therehavebeenmoredelationstothePresbyteryforthesinofwitchcraftinWoodileethaninanyotherparishonthewaterofAller."
"Andwhatdoesthatprove,Mr.
