Запретный лес

           Thetimecame,however,whenanxietyconqueredscruples.HerodetoCalidonwithaflutteringheart,anexcitementratheroffearthanofjoy.

           MistressSaintserffacedhimgrimly.

           "Whathaveyedonewi’mybairn?"shedemanded."Sheisfairbrokewi’ridin’theroadsandtendin’theriff-raffo’Woodilee--andthehaillparochinenoworthahairo’herheid.Christiancharity,saysyou--butthere’sboundstoChristiancharity!Ye’reabonnyladtotak’solittlecareo’yourjoe."

           Presentlyshecondescendedtodetails."Shehasnaestrength,thepuirthing--cleanwornoutlikeanauldbauchle[shoe].YestreenIgarredhertak’toherbed,andshe’slyin’asbiddableasawean,andherforordinar’saesweirtobidestill....Na,yecannaseeher.Butdinnafashyoursel’,myman.She’snosick--justwearywi’owerheavyatask.Alonglieinherbedwillputherricht,andachangeinthisdowieweather.Prayforabitblinko’sun....Ye’relookin’geygashyoursel’.Ye’dbenanethewauro’aweekonyourback."

           AsDavidrodehomewardherememberedthelastwordsandlaughedattheirony.Aweekinbed,whenhecouldscarcelyendurethreehoursinanight!MistressSaintserf’snewshadputhimintoanagonyofapprehension.Hestabledhishorseandsetouttoworkoffhisanxietybybodilyfatigue,butitgrewwitheverymilehewalked.Weariness,hetoldhimself,wasonlynaturalaftersuchawinter’stoil;wasnothehimselfwornout,anddidnotevenMarkRiddelconfesstoagreatfatigue?Buthecouldnotconsolehimselfwithsuchthoughts.