Запретный лес
IX. Before Lammas
Hehadgothimselfapairofgreatboots,andlookedaveryIronsideasheexpandedhisbigchestandgroanedassenttohisleader’swarning.
"LetusseethatthereisnoCanaanitishthinginourmidst,"Mr.Proudfootcried,"forthepurgeoftheLordisnigh.AndletIsraeldwellinunity,forahousedividedshallnotstand.Thesearethetwincounselsforthisdayofwrath,apurecauseandabrotherlypeople.These,Isay,arethedamswithwhichtostemthetideoftheheathen’srage."
"Andthat’sawordinseasonforyou,Mr.Sempill,"saidMr.Muirhead."Ihearye’vesetthehaillparishofWoodileebythelugswithwantonaccusations.You’lladmitnonetotheTable,saysyou,tillthereispublicconfessionofsomeunkennediniquity.Iapplaudzealinayoungminister,butitseemsyou’vefairgotyourlegowerthetrams,andtheseriousfolkofWoodileearetroubledtokenwhatyemean.Haveacare,Mr.Sempill,lestthiszealofyoursbebuthumanimpatience.ThisisnotimetosowconfusionamongGod’speople."
TheministerofKirkAllerhadlosthisairofroughgood-humour.ItwasahardfaceandaninquisitorialeyethathebentonDavid.
"ItakemystandonthefirstofMr.Proudfoot’scounsels,"saidthelatter."Ifthedayoftrialiscoming,ourcausemustbepure,andtheremustbenoCanaanitishthinginourmidst.WhenIamclearaboutthesinsofWoodilee,thePresbyterywillhavefurthernewsofme."
Theyoungman’sspeechwastooassuredtopleaseMr.Muirhead.Hedrewdownhiseyebrowstilltheyformedastraightlinebisectinghishugeexpanseofface.
