Запретный лес

           HisextremehappinessmadehimfeelmorethaneverinthehandsoftheAlmightyanddisposedtowalksoftlybeforeHim.Hehadgivenmanyhostagestofortune,buthehadwonsomethingwhichcouldneverbetakenaway.Thankfulandhumblehefelt,inlovewithlifeandwithallhumanity,andnotablylessbellicose.Hispathofdutywasclear,buthewouldnotcourtantagonisms.Heowedmuchtothelessfortunate,hewhodailymetKatrineinthegreenwoodoronthehillinthesoftnoonswhichmakeafalsesummeratautumn’send.

           SoontheSabbathhepreachedasermonwhichwaslongspokenofinWoodilee.Hediscoursedofcharity--atopicnotpopularintheKirk,andcommonlylefttosuchasMr.Fordycewhowereafflictedwithill-health.Forayoungminister,hisfaceruddywiththehillwindsandhisfigureaswellsetupasadragoon’s,toexpandonsuchamatterseemedamerewasteofprecioustime,whensomanymoremarrowysubjectslaytohishand.YettherewasthatinDavid’searnestnesswhichimpressedhisaudiencealmostasmuchasifhissermonhadbeenondeathandjudgment.Hehadanewhearer.Amansatbeneaththepulpitwhoseeyesnevermovedfromtheminister’sface--amerelathofaman,thintoemaciation,withanarrowheadandamuch-freckledface,araggedbeard,andeyeswithredlightsinthemlikeaferret’s.Davidnoticedthat,asthekirkemptied,theothersseemedtoshunthenewcomer’sproximity.Ashemovedtothedoor,therewasadriftawayfromhim,likesheepfromacollie.

           ThatnightIsobelgavehimnewsofthestranger.

           "Theprickerhascome,"sheannouncedinasolemnvoice.