Запретный лес
XVI. The Witch Hunt
’Butwhateverherfaut,itcannaberichtthewaytheyguidither,lickin’herwi’abull’spizzleandburnin’thegumso’hertillsheyammerslikeabittedpowny.Ifshemaundee,letdeathcomequick.FortheLord’ssake,Mr.David,getherdowntotheKirkAllertolbooth,fortheShirraiskinderthanyonredbrock[badger]o’apricker.Theverrasichto’hiswildeensendsagruetomybanes--andChasehopestandin’byhimandspeakin’saftandwicked,andsmilin’likeacatwi’amouse."
David’sheartsickenedwithdisgust.Chasehopehadturnedthetablesonhim;hehaddivertedsuspicionfromhimselfbysacrificingahalf-wittedwoman.AndyetthisBessieToddhadbeenamemberofthecoven--hehadseenhergreylocksflyingintheWood.Chasehopewaspresidingattheexaminationandtorture;hewouldnodoubttakegoodcarethatnowordofthetruthcameoutinherdelirium.AndIsobel,whohaddeniedwithviolencehisownchargesagainstthisverywoman,seemedtobelieveherconfession.Shewasrevoltedbythecruelty,butconvincedofthesin.Thatwouldnodoubtbethefeelingoftheparish,forwhocoulddisbelieveavowalswhichmustsendtheavowertoashamefuldeath?
"Whereisthewretchedwoman?"heasked.
"TheyhaveherlockitupinPeterPennecuik’sgirnel....They’vegottena’theywant,andtheysaythattheShirrahasbeensentfortocarryhertotheKirkAllersteeple,whaurtheyconfinethewarlocks....They’reinthegirnelnow,andthefecko’Woodileeiswaitin’atthedoor.Willyoustopforabite?...
