Запретный лес
XXI. The Going of the Minister
"NotontheWord,"wastheanswer,"butontheauldwivesthatpervertit."Henoddedoverhisshoulder."Theykenmefineintheparish.IwasbaptizedaftertheApostle,andformysurnameyecanchooseKerrorRiddelasitpleasesyou."
TheModeratorsatwithaflamingface."ItisMarkKerrthemalignant.Isummonalllaw-abidingandChristianmentolayhandsonhimandconveyhimtoaplaceofbondage."
Butnoonestirred.Thedarkfacewiththelaughatthelips,thefiercecontemptuouseyes,thefigurecompactandlightwithastrengthwhichthetoil-bentshouldersofWoodileecouldneverequal,thereputeformagicalskill--thesewerethingsterribleenoughwithoutthelongsword.
Mr.Muirheadrose."ThenIandmybrotherwillgetusforthofthisplace.Come,Mr.Ebenezer,"andhegatheredtheskirtsofhisgown.
"Nay,friends,"saidMark,"ye’llbidewhereyeare.Andthefolkwillkeeptheirseats,tillIgivethemleavetoskail[disperse]."Heswungthekeyofthekirkdoorinhishandashespoke."Sityedoun,Mr.Muirhead.Sityedoun,worthyMr.Proudfoot.YoubillieshavethechanceilkaSabbatho’sayin’yoursayandnomancancontrovertyou.Thisdayforachangeyewillhavetohearken."
Injusticetothetwoministersletitbesaidthatitwasnottheswordthatkeptthemintheirplaces.Neitherlackedcourage.Butthismanwhostoodconfrontingthem,theverysightofwhomseemedtoparalysethefolkofWoodilee,thisshamelessmalignanthadacompellingsomethinginhisair.
