Запретный лес
XI. The Minister Girds up his Loins
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"Nevertheless--"Hereadon,andhisbrowsdarkened.Hefinished,flungthebundleonthetable,andlookedatDavidwithatroubledanduncertaineye.
"Here’sabonnybrowsto’yill!Youchargeyourchiefelderwiththesinofwitchcraft--amanofnotedgodliness,asImyselfcantestify--andyouconjoininthelibelfivewomenwhoareunknowntome.Whatisyourevidence,Iask?Youraineen,atatimewhenyouwereinnoconditiontoseeclear,andforbyeyouwereonthetopofatree,anditwasinthemidofthenight.Youhavenocorroboration.ButIpretermitthewomen,andcometoChasehope.YouhavecherishedasuspicionofhimsinceBeltane,saysyou,whenyouwerepresentintheWood.Andwhat,Iask,didyouthereatthatseason,Mr.Sempill?Iopinethatyourainconductwantssomeexplanation."
"ThatIcangive,"saidDavid.
"YouhavefurthertheevidenceofthemanAndrewShillinglaw,andtheplotyoupreparedagainstChasehope.Man,Iseenothinginyourredcock’sfeathersoryourhennyseed,asyoucallit.Thewellistainted,sohowcanyoulookforpurewater?YourReiverslawisnotoriouslyawine-bibberandarufflerandadespiserofordinances.Whathindersthatheshouldbealsoaleear?Thecock’sfeathersmayallthetimehavebeeninhispouch,andhemayhaveplayedsomeprankatChasehopewiththestinkin’oil.Youhavethewitnessoftheherds,saysyou,butit’seasyenoughtobegowktwolandwardsimpletons.Yourcasewillnotholdwater,sir,beforeanycompetentcourt,andReiverslaw,yourprincipalabettor,standssuspect.
