Запретный лес

           "Youarenofriendofmine,EphraimCaird,butIgiveyouthepraiseofastoutheart."

           "WhyshouldIbefeared?"theotherasked."WhyshouldIdreadtowalkeveninthevalleyofdeathifHisrodandstaffaretheretocomfortme?"

           "Whyshouldyou!Butmanyprofessorsareofadifferentmind."

           "Theyarebutpoorprofessors,then.Ifearnoill,forIamintheLord’shandtillHisappointedtime."

           "Butmanywhodonotfeardeathfeartodiebythepest."

           "Ay,butIhavemyassurance.IhavetheLord’sownpromise,Mr.Sempill.IkenasweelthatnopestcantouchmeasthatmynameisEphraimCairdandmyhabitationisChasehope.It’sthelacko’sounddoctrinethatgarsfolkturncowards--theydinnalippenenoughtotheLord--theyhavenaafirmenoughgripo’theircallingandelection.Ihavemycompactsure,andIkenthattheLordwillnogiemeaback-cast.Icanrejoiceeveninthissoreaffliction,forHehathdemandedasacrifice,andwhatismantoquestionHiswill?DearinHissightisthedeathofHissaints--ay,andofsinners,too,forHisjudgmentsarenotexhausted.There’smairtocome,Mr.Sempill--taketento’that,sir--theconvictionisheavyonmethatthewindo’Hisdispleasurehasstillablasttoblaw."

           Thepaleeyeshadalmostthegreenofacat’sinthedimlight,andthebaldbrowsabovegavethewholefacetheairofamask,whichatanymomentmightslipandrevealnightmarelineaments.Thechildinthebedlookedupashespoke,sawhisfaceandscreamedinterror,andKatrine,afteroneglancebehindher,wasbusiedincrooningconsolations...