Запретный лес
I. The Coming of the Minister
"Whatfor’Saint’Paulandnot’Saint’Mosesor’Saint’Isaiah?It’saqueerthingthatAntichristshouldsethimselftomiscallthegodlyApostlesoftheNewTestamentandlettheauldprophetsalone.You’reayoungman,Mr.Sempill,and,asisnaturalinyouth,withbutasmallexperienceofreligion.Taketheadviceofanolderman,andnoclogyourselfontheroadtoHeavenwithowermuchprintitlear,whenyoucanputthewholeWordofGodinyourpouch."
ButMr.Fordycelookedattheshelveswithgreedyeyes.Themoor-fowlatdinnerhadloosenedatooth,andnowitcameoutinhishandandwaswrappedcarefullyinhiskerchief."IhavekeptilkatoothIhaveevercast,"hetoldtheothers,"andtheywillgointomycoffinwithmethatmybodilypartsmaybetogetherattheResurrection.""WouldyoushortenthearmoftheLord?"Mr.Proudfoothadaskedtestily."CanHenogatheryourremnantsfromtheuttermostpartsoftheearth?""True,true,"theotherhadansweredgently,"butit’sjustmyfancytokeepallmydustintheoneplace."Thisceremonyover,heflunghimselfonthebookslikeahungrymanonfood.Heopenedthemlovingly,readtheirtitles,fingeredthemasifhecouldscarcelybeartopartwiththem."You’renohalfmyage,"hetoldtheowner,"butyou’vetwiceasmanybooksasthereareintheCauldshawmanse.Youstartwellprovided,Mr.David."
Thetheologyheknewalreadyandapproved,buttherewereotherworksoverwhichheshookamoralizinghead."You’veahantleofpaganwriters,Mr.David.
