Запретный лес

           "Youhavenabeenover-gentlewiththeModerator,"hesaid."Farbeitfromme,thatamsoimperfect,toimputeerrortoabrother,butyoucannadenythatyoutookahighlinewithMr.Mungo."

           "Iwaswithinmyrightsinrefusingtoobeyhissuspension.HehadnoresolutionofthePresbyterybehindhim."

           "Maybeno.Butwastherenoexcessofvehemence,Mr.David,indefyingonewhoisyourelder?Wouldnotthesoftwordhaveavailedbetter?Youseemtohavespokentohimlikeadominietoaschoolbairn."

           "Oh,IdonotdenythatIwasinatemper,butifIwasangryitwassurelywitharighteousanger.WouldyouhavemeletthatblackbusinessoftheWoodbesmotheredjustbecauseChasehope,withhissleekfaceandhiscunningtongue,hasimposedonthePresbytery?Andforthechargeagainstmyself,wouldyou,Iaskyou,haverefusedsuccourtoanypoorsoulthatcameseekingit,thoughhissinswerescarletonhim?"

           "I’llnotsay.I’matimidmanbynature,andI’msodeeplyconcernedwithmyownstatetowardsGodthatI’mapttogiveotherdutiesthego-by--themoreshametome!InthematteroftheWoodIthinkyouhavedonehonestlyandbravely,andIdoubtIwouldnahavehadthecouragetodolikewisemyself.TheLordbethankitthatsuchaperplexitynevercamemyway!...AsforMontrose’sman,whatamItosay?Mr.MungowillquoteScriptureagainstyou,andit’snotformetodenytheplenaryinspirationofthewholeWord,thoughIwhilesthinktheKirkinScotlandfoundsaweethingovermuchontheOldTestamentandforgetstheNew.ButIcanseegreattroubleforyouthere,Mr.