Запретный лес
XXI. The Going of the Minister
Onevoice--itwasAmosRitchie’s--cameoutofthebackofthekirk.
"Whereistheminister?"itasked.
"Heisgonewhereyouwillneverseehimmore,"saidMark."Aprophetcameamongyouandyouknewhimnot.Forthesakeofthatwitlessthingthatisnowgoingfour-footamongthebraesyouhavecondemnedtheinnocentblood.Hespenthisstrengthforyouandyourejectedhim,heyearnedforyouandyourepelledhim,hewouldhavelaiddownhislifeforyouandyouscornedhim.Heisnowbeyondthereachofyouringratitude."
"Unlesshebedead,"saidMr.Proudfoot,"heisnotbeyondthereachofthelaw,andifhebedeadhehasfallenintothehandsofalivingandoffendedGod."
"Man,man,"saidMarkgently,"youandyourlikehavemostlamentablyconfoundedGodandDevil."
"Andyouyourself,"criedtheModerator,strugglingvaliantlytoasserthimselfagainstanatmospherewhichhefeltinimical,"arewithinaspanofthegallows."
"Weareallandatalltimeswithinaspanofdeath....Toyou,reverendsirs,Ihavenomoretosay.Youwillgangyourownways,andsomedayotherswillplaythetyrantoveryouandgiveyouyourainkailthroughthereek.Inthatdayofhumiliationyouwillrepentofwhatyoudidinyourpride....TothosewhohavebeenpartakersoftheiniquityoftheWoodIwishnolessthanthefatethathasovertakentheirmaster....TothepoorfolkofWoodileeIleavetheirminister’sblessing,andmaytheyhavewhilesakindlythoughtofonethatlovedthem."
Heturnedatthedoor."Youwillbideheretillyouarereleased.Theministerscanwhileawaythetimeexcommunicatin’me
