Запретный лес
XX. The Judgment
Fragmentsofhersongscamebacktohim:
"There’scomfortforthecomfortless
Andhoneyforthebee--"
Wasthereanycomfortforastrickenmanonthissideofeternity?Hehadavisionofherfacewithitsproudlaughingcourage,heheardagainhervoicecomingfaintandsweetfrombehindthehillsofdeath.Shewassmiling,shewassayingsomethingtoorareformortalearstocatch,butitseemedtothawwithinhimthespringsoflife.
Helaylongontheturf,andwhenatlastheraisedhisheadthedawnwasbreaking.Thewindhadfallen,andintotheairhadcomethesoftnessofspring.Athrushsanginthecovert--hethoughthecaughtthescentofflowers....Ofasuddentheworldrighteditselfandyouthcamebacktohim.Hesawbrightnessagainontheroadsoflifeandagreatbrightnessattheendofthem,whereKatrinewashisforeveramongtheeternalfields.
RabPrentice,limpingoutintheearlymorningtoseetothelambingewesinhishirsel,hadoccasiontotakeashortcutthroughthehazelshaws.Hewassurprisedtoseeamanwalkingwithgreatstridesfromthecoppice,andmoresurprisedtorecognizehimastheminister.WhatdidMr.Sempillthereatthathour?Hewatchedthefiguretillitdisappearedovertheridge,andthenwenthomemuchpuzzledtohiscogofbrose.
InafterdaysRabPrenticesearchedhismemoryforeverydetailofthatsight,andoftenherecountedittobreathlesslisteners.ForhiswerethelasteyesinWoodileetoseetheministeronearth.
