Запретный лес
IV. The Faithful Servant
Loyaltyforbadehim--loyaltytotheyoungman,habitedasagroom,whohadspokenbothascounsellorandcomrade.Thatwastheenduringspellofthatstrangenight.DavidasayouthinEdinburghhadhadfewfamiliarfriends,andnonethatcouldbecalledintimate.Forthefirsttimehehadmetonefromwhomhadgoneforthaninfluencethatmeltedhisheart.Herecalledwithakindofachingaffectionthegentle,commandingcourtesy,thewinningsmile,themasterfulandyetwistfulgreyeyes."Iwonder,"hethought,"ifIwasnotmeanttobeasoldier.ForIcouldfollowyonmanmostjoyfullytothecannon’smouth."
Onthethirddaypeacereturnedtohim,whenheburiedMarionoftheGreenshiel.Theparishcoffinwasnotused,aswasthecustomforpoorfolk,sincethefarmerofReiverslaw,Richie’smaster,paidthecostofaprivateone,andhimselfattendedthe"chesting"thenightbefore.OnthedayDavidwalkedthesevenmilestothecottage,whereRichiehadsetoutapoorentertainmentofaleandoatcakesforthemourners.Itwasnotthefashionfortheministertoprayatthehouseoratthegrave,assavouringofPopishprayersforthedead,norwasitthecustomforawidowertoattendthefuneral;butDavidtookhisownway,andprayedwiththehusband,thewailingwomen,andthehalf-dozenshepherdswhohadassembledforthelastrites.Thelightcoffinwascarriedbyfouryoungmen,andDavidwalkedwiththemallthewaytoWoodilee.
