Запретный лес
XVIII. The Plague
Ifthere’snaeseecknessyet,there’sseecknessontheroad.Imaunawa’inandseetoAilie,forthismornshewascomplainingo’asairheid."
TwodayslaterthechildofacotteratMirehopereturnedfromschoolinthemansekitchen,andtohismother’samazementbeathisheadagainstthedoor.Hefellasleeponthewedder’sskinbesidethefire,andwhenhewaswakenedforhissupperhischeekswereflamingandheseemedtohavedifficultywithhisspeech.Hewasputwiththerestintotheboxwhichwasthechildren’sbed,andallnightfilleditwithhiscries,sothattheotherssoughtpeaceonthefloor.Inthemorninghisfaceandthroatwereswollen,hiseyesweresightless,andhestruggledterriblyforbreath.Beforenoonhewasdead.
InthiswaycametheplaguetoWoodilee.
Itscomingwasrealizedinaninstant,forthesinisterweatherhadpreparedthepeopleforcalamity.Beforethedarktherumourofthebreakingoutofthepestwasintheuttermostsheilings.WithitwentthewordthatPeterPennecuikhadsickened,andthatanotherchildatMirehopeandoneoftheChasehopeewe-milkersweredownwithit....Nextdaytheplacewasabeleagueredcity.JohnnieDow,thepackman,hearingthenewsatCauldshaw,divertedhisroundtoKirkAller,thoughthirtypoundsScotswereowingtohiminWoodilee.TheroadswereblockedasifMontrose’skernscommandedthem.Asitwaswinter-timetherewaslittleworkonhand,andeventhatlittlewasnotdone.
