Запретный лес

           "Itookmyinformation,Iremember,totheclanofchildrenwhoweremyplaymates,andtheyspreaditamongtheirhouseholdsandcamebackwithconfirmationorcontradiction.SomeheldfortheDevil,somefortheFairies--aproofthattraditionspokewithtwovoices.TheFairyschoolslightlyoutnumberedtheothers,andinabattleoneAprileveningclosetotheruinedkirkweroutedthediabolistsandestablishedourversionasthecanon.Butsaveforthatsolitaryfact--thattheministerofWoodileehadgoneoffwiththeFairies--thecanonremainedbare.

           YearslaterIgotthetaleoutofmanybooksandplaces:afoliointhelibraryofaDutchcollege,themuniment-roomofaCatholicfamilyinLancashire,notesinacopyofthesecondLatineditionofWishart’sMontrose,thediariesofacaptainofHebron’sandofaLondonglove-maker,theexercisebookofaseventeenth-centuryWelshschoolgirl.Icouldpiecethestorytogetherwellenough,butatfirstIfoundithardtofitittotheWoodileethatIknew--thatdecorouslandscape,prim,determinate,withoutahintofmystery;thebarehilltops,bleakatseasons,butcommonlyofafriendlyPickwickianbaldness,skirtedwithmethodically-plannedwoodsofselectedconifers,andgirdledwithmathematicalstonedykes;theeven,ruledfieldsofthevalleybottom;thestudiedmoderationoftheburnsinalandmeticulouslydrained;thedapperglassandstoneandmetalofthevillage.Twomilesoff,itwastrue,ranthenobleuntamedstreamsofAller;beyondthemthehillsroseindarkfieldstomid-sky,withtheglenoftheRoodmakingasword-cutintotheirheart.