Запретный лес
III. Guests in Calidon Tower
Andwhoaretheladsyou’vebroughtwithyou?"
"Justlikemyself,Nick,poorsoldiersofLeven’s,onourwayhometoAngus."
"Angusisitthistime?"Thehostwinkedandthenlaughedboisterously.
"Angusitis,buttheirnamesanddesignationscanwaittillwehavebrokenourfast.’Faith,we’veaswolfishahungeraseveryouandmetholedinThuringia.AndI’vebroughtinanhonestmanthatguidedusthroughyourbogsandwelldeservesbiteandsup."
NicholasHawkshawpeeredforamomentatDavid."IcannotsayI’macquaintwiththegentleman,butI’vebeenthatlongawayI’vegrownoutofknowledgeofmyowncountryside.Butyeshallnalackformeatanddrink,forwhenIgotyourtokenIbadeEdomstirhimselfandmakeready.There’sagoodbrowstofyill,andplentyofFrenchcordialandmyfather’sCanarysack.Andthere’samuttonham,andthebestpartofapie--Iwouldnasayjustwhat’sintilthepie,butatanyratethere’sblackcocksandsnipesandleverets,forIhadtheshootingofthem.Oh,andthere’swhatevermoreEdomcanfindinthehouseofCalidon.Here’sbackyourring,Will.WhenIreadthecognizanceIhadanotionthatIwasabouttoentertaingreaterfolk--"
"ThanyourauldfriendWillRolloandtwopoortroopersofLeven’s.Andyetwe’remaybeangelsunawares."Hetooktheringandhandedittothegroom,whowithDavidstoodalittlebackfromtheothers,whileNicholasHawkshaw’seyeswidenedinamomentarysurprise.
Anancientserving-manandabarefootmaidbroughtinthematerialsforsupper,andthetwotroopersfellontheviandslikefamishedcrows.
