Запретный лес
XII. The Man with the Squint
Insteadofsmotheringthepatientunderbedclothes,hekepthimlightlycovered,orderedthewindowtobeopendayandnight,andlethimdrenchhissystemwithsmallale.Itislikelythatunderanytreatmenttheoldmanwouldhavedied,forhewasinhisseventy-fourthyearandhadlongbeenailing,andtheplagueonlyspeededthedecayofage.Butunderthenewregimenhislastdayswerelessofamartyrdom.Hisheadremainedclearandhecouldspeakwithhisson--chieflyofhismotherandhischildhood.
Davidlodgednotinthecity,butinthevillageofLiberton,andwalkedindailytohisfather’sbedside.HereadtheScripturestohimandprayedwithhim,ashisdutydemanded,buthefeltacertainshynessatinquiringintohisfather’sstatetowardsGod.Norwastheoldmancommunicative."I’vemademypeacelangsyne,"hesaid,"andIreadmytitleclear,sothere’snoneedofdeath-bedwarkforme."Buthewasfullofanxietyforhisson."You’vechosenaholycalling,Davielad,andI’mblithetothinkyou’vegotadownsettinginourcalf-country.Man,therewereSempillsinthemillo’theRoodfootsincethedaysofRobertBruce.Buttheministryinthesedaysisakittlejob,forthepreachersareowercrouse,andtheKirkhasgotitsheidowerhigh....What’scomeo’thisMontrosetheycrackabout?...KeepyouhumblebeforetheLord,myson,forHeaven’syettisalaighyett."
HediedpeacefullyonthethirddayofSeptember,andDavidhadabusyweeksettlinghisaffairs--thesaleofthebusinessandthehouseholdeffectsandthepaymentofbequeststoservantsanddistantkin.
