Запретный лес
III. Guests in Calidon Tower
Itellyou,thereisnothinginthislandthatcanstandagainstthem."
"Ihavenoloveforsectaries,"saidDavid."ButcannotourScotsdolikewise,withtheCovenanttonervethem?"
Theothershruggedhisshoulders.
"TheCovenant’sbutsourkailtothesoldier.DavieLesliehashammeredhismenintoawise-likearmy,becausehelearnedhistradefromGustavus.Butthinkyouourbannock-fedfoot-sentinelscareadoitfortheblackgownsatWestminster?AmanwillfightforhisKingandforhiscountry,andforlibertytoworshipGodinhisownway.But,unlesshehasacrackinhishead,hewillnotfightforafinepointofChurchgovernment."
Davidwasbecomingillatease.Hefeltthatitwashisdutytotestify,orotherwisehewouldbeguiltyofthesinofMeroz,thesinofapathywhenhisfaithwaschallenged.Buthewasfarfromclearastotheexactnatureofhisfaith.TherewasnoblasphemyinquestioningwhethertheCovenantweretrulyintheheartsofthepeople.HadnottheministerofCauldshawthatveryafternoonexpressedthesamedoubt?
NicholasHawkshawwaspeeringathimintently.
"Ishouldkenyou,friend,fortheytellmeyoubelongtothiscountryside.Andyourfacesticksinmymemory,butIcannaputanametoit."
"TheycallmeDavidSempill.Iamthenew-ordainedministerofWoodilee."
Nicholascriedout."AuldWato’theRoodfoot’sgrandson.Iheardofyourcoming,sir,andindeedI’myourchiefheritor.I’llnaveyourhandonthat.Man,Ikennedyourgudesirewell,andmanyapouchfulofgroatsIhadfromhimwhenIwasaladdie.You’rebackamongkennedfolk,Mr.
