Запретный лес

           AndyettoDavid’seyetherewasthataboutthemwhichbeliedtheirapparentrank.Theyhadspokeninthecountryway,buttheirtoneswerenotthoseofcountrymen.TheyhadnottheairofagauntJockoraround-facedTamfromtheplough-tail.Allthreewereslim,andthehandswhichgraspedthebridleswerenotablyfine.Theyheldthemselvesstraightlikecourtiers,andintheirvoiceslurkedanoteasofmenaccustomedtocommand.Theleaderwasadarkman,withawearythinfaceandgreatcirclesroundhiseyes;thesecondatallfellow,withatannedskin,acastinhislefteye,andarestlessdare-devillook;thethird,whoseemedtobetheirgroom,hadsofarnotspoken,andhadstoodatthebackwiththeledhorse,butDavidhadaglimpseabovehisraggeddoubletofaneatsmallmoustacheandadelicatechin."Levenhasgoodbloodinhisranks,"hethought,"forthesethreenevercameoutofabut-and-ben."Moreover,theordinarytrooperonhiswayhomewouldnotmakeCalidonahouseofcall.

           Heledthemuptotheglenroad,intendingtogivethemdirectionsabouttheirway,buttherehefoundthathismemoryhadbetrayedhim.HeknewexactlyinwhichnookofhilllayCalidon,butforthelifeofhimhecouldnotrememberhowthetrackrantoit.

           "I’llhavetobeyourguide,sirs,"hetoldthem."IcantakeyoutoCalidon,butIcannottellyouhowtogetthere."

           "We’rebeholdentoyou,sir,butit’sasoreburdenonyourgood-nature.Doesyourownroadlieinthatairt?"

           Theyoungmanlaughed."ThenightisfineandI’minnohastetobeinbed.I’llhaveyouatCalidondoorinhalfanhour.