Запретный лес
IX. Before Lammas
HethinksI’madacent,saft,through-itherbody,wi’hiswitssairfuddledbystrongdrink,andhasnaeback-thochtso’anethat’sjustclayinhishands....Ay,andI’vebeenpayin’muckleattentiontohishen-house.Hiswife,yemaunken,isanotablehen-wife,andshehasaredcockthatthere’snothelikeo’inthecountryside.ItookRabPrenticeupwi’metoChasehopetoun,andIbadeRabtak’specialnoteo’theredcock."
"ButIdonotseethepurpose..."
"Yeneedna--yet.Ye’llbetell’tinguidtime.I’mthinkin’o’theprocessaforethePresbytery,andit’switnessesI’mseekin’.Ihaetwahonestmen,myherdsRichieSmailandRabPrentice,butRichie’sowerauldtotak’theWudandHirplin’Rabwaddeeaforehewouldpithisnebinsideit.Sothere’sjustyouandmeforthechiefjob,thoughtheithertwawillhaetheiruses."
TheimminenceofthetrialmadeDavid’sheartsick,forhehadnowbroodedforthreemonthsonthemysteriesoftheWood,whereasatBeltanehehadstumbledupontheminhotbloodunwittingly.Hewasconfidentinhiscause,buthebelievedmostfirmlythattheDevilinpersonwouldbehisantagonist,andthecooltonesofReiverslawstruckhimwithadmirationandawe.
"Man,youspeakascalmasifyouweremakingreadyforaclipping.IsitthatyoudonotbelieveinthepowerofSatan?"
"IbelieveinGod,"saidtheman,"andI’veseenowermuckleo’theworldnotobelieveintheDeil.
