Запретный лес
XVIII. The Plague
Thedeadwerelaidinbyreandstablebesidethestartledbeasts,sometimesbythepoorerhouseholdsinthekailyard,andDavidmorethanoncefoundastaring,unshroudedcorpseinthenettlesofthemanseloan.Therewerecottageswherealltheinmatesweredeadandunburied,withaleancatmewingroundthebarreddoors....Andallthewhilethesoftblueweathercontinued,andthewindcamebalmyfromthehillsoverthosesilentfieldsofdeath.
AtfirstthestuporofWoodileewasshotwithanawfulapprehensionofdivinewrath,andthepeoplesoughttopropitiatetheirMakerbyhumblingthemselvesbeforeHim,and--eventheleastdevout--byconstantprayerandthereadingofScripture.Butthismooddidnotlongsurvive.Thefuryoftheblastwhichsmotethemdroveallreligionoutoftheirminds,andleftthemstarkandnumbwithmortalfear.Tobeginwith,Davidwaswelcomedinthehouseofdeath,hewassummonedinhaste,hiscomingwaswatchedfor;evenifhisministrationsdidnogoodtotheunconscioussufferers,theyseemedtocomforttheothers.Butpresentlyhefoundhimselfanunregardedintruder.Wheneverheknewofacasehehastenedtoit,butthepanic-strickeneyesofthelivinglookedathimasblindlyastheglazingeyesofthedying.Hisprayerseventohimselfseemedidle;atanyratetheyfellupondulledears.
