Запретный лес

           Buttheconsequentfeelingwasnotofhopelessnessbutofatight-lippedrage.Helongedtobeinaworldwhereblowscouldbestruckswiftandclean,andwherehazardsweretangiblethingslikesteelandpowder.Notforthefirsttimeinhislifehewishedthathehadbeenasoldier.Hewasstrivingagainstfollyandignorance,blindprejudice,falseconventions,narrowcovenants.Howmuchbettertobefightingwitharmedmen!

           Isobelmethimatthemansedoorwithaportentousface.

           "There’sanewmancometoCrossbasket,"sheannounced."Hisplenishin’cam’upthewaterthismornin’--fourhorse-loads--andthedroversarebringin’hissheepandkye.Isawthebodyhimsel’inthekirktonanhoursyne.He’stheraledown-the-waterfairmerbreed,verraweelsetupandnothatauld,andhewearsamaudlikeaherd.ButMr.David,sir"--sheloweredhervoice--"guessyewhaheis?Icouldnabemistook,andwhenhecriedmeguiddayIsawbrawlythathekennedmeandkennedthatIkennedhim.Heca’shimsel’MarkRiddel,butit’stheglee’dsodgermanthatlayinourbestbed."