Запретный лес

           TheLawhasnocognizanceofaprickeroronythinglikehim,andifwell-meaningfolkunderhisguidingcompassthedeathofamanorwomanthathasnotbeendulytriedandsentenced,theLawwilluphaudittobemurder,justasmuckleasifacairdhadcutathroatatadyke-side.Igreatlyfearye’vebroughtyourselvesintoitsdangerbythisday’swork."

           Markspokewithanairofanxiousandfriendlycandourthatcalledfornoopposition.Indeeditwasplainthatmorethanoneofhishearershadsimilardoubtsoftheirown.

           "Thewife’sweeleneuch,"saidMirehope."Ye’llnokillatoughauldgreyhenlikethatwi’araxedthumborbrunttaes."

           "Ihopeyou’rericht,neighbour,"saidMark."Butifshesulddee,whatwillyesaytotheShirra--andwhattotheCourto’Justiciar?Ye’vetakendounfraehermouthalongscreedo’crimes,butI’moftheminister’sopinion,thatthey’rewhatonydistrackitbodywadadmitthatwasnaverrastrongintheintellectualsandfandherpaiks[punishment]owersairforher.Lordblessme,butthey’remaisto’themowercomesIheardatmygrannie’sknee.Icounselyeinallfriendlinesstolettheministerdohisbesttokeepherinlife,oritsticksinmymindthatWoodileewillmak’anillshowingwhentheKing’sjudgesreddupthebusiness."

           Chasehopeangrilydissented,buthehadfewsupporters.Mostoftheothersworeananxiousair.

           "Icometothematterofthepricker."Mark’shomelywheedlingtoneswerelikethoseofapackmaninanale-housekitchen."Ikennochtabouthim,butIcannasayIlikethelookso’him.