Запретный лес
XVIII. The Plague
Inthepurecoldairthetaintseemedtopassfromtheland,andtheproblemofDavidandhishelperswasnowastraightforwardfightwithnormalailmentsandthenormalwinterpoverty.Stockduringthevisitationhadbeenscarcelytended,andthebyresandinfieldswerefullofdeadbeasts;whileinthegeneralterrorthecustomaryfrugalityoftheparishhadbeenforgottenandmanyameal-arkwasempty.Therewasneedofclothingandfood,offuelandcordials,anditdidnotappearwheretheyweretocomefrom.
Therewasnohelptobelookedforfromoutside,fortotheneighbourhoodWoodileewaslikealepersettlement;nonewouldhavedaredtoentertheplace,andhadaWoodileemanshownhisfaceinanotherparishhewouldhavebeendrivenbackwithstones.Mr.FordycemanagedtosendtoDavidmorethanonedistressfulletter,lamentingthatforthesakeofhisownpeoplehecouldnotlendhisbrotherahelpinghand;butsaveforthat,fromthe8thdayofJanuarytothe15thdayofMarchtherewasnocommunicationwiththeouterworld.InthiscrisisMarkRiddelwroughtmightily.Hehadwaysandmeansofgettingsuppliesfromdistantplaces,andhispack-horses,guidedbyhimselforAmosRitchie,broughtmealandhomespunblanketsfromquarterswhichnomanknewof.Davidexhaustedthemansestores,andIsobelkiltedhercoatsand,withacharityseasonedbymaledictions,keptherpotorgirdlecontinuallyonthefire.ButitwasthehouseofCalidonthatprovidedthemainnecessaries.
