Запретный лес
I. The Coming of the Minister
Atfirstinthesofteveninglightithadwornagraciousandhomelyair,eventhedarknessofthepinesseemedluminous,andthefeatherytopofapatchofbircheswaslikethesmokeofhouseholdfires....ButasthesunsankbehindtheRoodhillsachangeseemedtocomeoverthescene.Theshadebecamegloom,ahostile,impenetrabledarkness.Thebircheswerestilllikesmoke,butaturbidsmokefromsomeunhallowedaltar.ThedistantshallowsofAllercaughtarayofthedyingsunandturnedtoblood....Theministershiveredandthenlaughedathimselfforhisfolly.
Theeveningdeepenedinthehollows,thoughthehilltopswerestillfaintlybright.Thegreatwoodseemednowtobeamovingthing,afloodwhichlappedandsurgedandmightatanymomentoverflowthesandspitwhichwasWoodilee.Againtheministerlaughedathimself,butwithoutconviction.Itmustbeaneerielifeundertheshadowofthatancientformlessthing.Woodileecouldnotbequiteasotherparishes,oritsfolklikeotherfolk.TheWood,thishoaryWoodofCaledon,mustdominatetheirthoughtsandformtheircharacters....HadnotsomeonecalledittheBlackWood?--Yes,theyhadspokenofitthatafternoon.Mr.Muirheadhadadmittedthatitmustbequeertolivesonearit,andMr.Fordycehadshakenhisheadsolemnlyandhintedattalesthatwouldbetoldifthetreescouldspeak....
