Запретный лес
XI. The Minister Girds up his Loins
ThefaithfulfolkofFifearemarchingcannilyagainsthisleftflank,andmusteringfromtheGlasgowairtagainsthisrightarethebrawladsoftheWest,ledbythosewell-disposednoblemen,theEarlofEglinton,theEarlofCassilis,andtheEarlofGlencairn.More--allthegentryofClydesdaleareontheroad,commandedbytheEarlofLanark,andhimandhisHamiltonsarewaitingtosoopuptheremnantsofthatwhichArgyllwillshatter.Isnathatabonnytale,Mr.Sempill?Isnathatajoyfulrecallingofourbondage,evenasstreamsofwaterinthesouth?"
Davidassented,buttohissurprisehisinterestwasfaint.HehadmorepressingproblemsthanthepubliccaptivityofIsrael.
"Andnowforothermatters,"saidMr.Muirhead,settinghismouthagaininseverelines."IhavewordofgravemishandlingatWoodilee.YouhavecreatedastramashinthedoucestandmostGod-regardingparishinthepresbyteryofAller.Youaresinningawayyourmercies,sir."
"ItisofthatIcametospeak,"saidDavid."Ihavetosubmittoyou,andthroughyoutothePresbytery,proofsofadreadfulwickednessamongprofessingChristiansinthatunhappyplace.Willyoubepleasedtorunyoureyeoverthesepapers?Youwillseecertainnamessubscribedaswitnesses."
Mr.Muirheadbegantoreadthedepositionscarelessly,asifheknewwhattoexpectfromthem.Thenhisattentiondeepened,andhewrinkledhisforehead.
"Hoots!What’sthis?"hecried."YewereintheWood?Yesawthisandthat?Mr.Sempill,ye’renotexemptfromthechargeoftamperingwithunlawfulthings."
"IwentthereasGod’sservant.
