Запретный лес

           Whatwasbetokenedbysomanyinfantsborndead?Hefelthimselfsurroundedbyamysteryofiniquity.

           OnenighthespokeofittoIsobel,veryshamefacedly,foritseemedanawfultopicforawoman,howeverold.ButIsobelwasnomorecommunicativethantherest.Evenherhonesteyesbecameshyandsecretive."Dinnayoufashyoursel’,sir,"shesaid."TheDeil’sthranginthisparochine,andyecannaexpecttogettheupperhando’himinsaxmonths.Butye’llbeevenwi’himyet,Mr.Sempill,wi’yourgraundGospelpreachin’."Andthensheaddedthatonwhichheponderedmanytimesinthenightwatches."Therewillayebetroubleatthistimeo’yearsolongasthefolktak’theWudatBeltane."

           Thefast-daycame,andMr.Proudfootpreachedamarrowysermon.HissubjectwastheeverlastingfiresofHell,whichawaitedthosewhosettheirhandagainstacovenantedKirk,andheexhaustedhimselfinaminutedescriptionofthemiseryofaneternityoftorment."Theyshallbecrowded,"hesaid,"likebricksinafieryfurnace.Owhatabedisthere!Nofeathers,butfire;nofriends,butfuries;noease,butfetters;nodaylight,butdarkness;noclocktopassawaythetime,butendlesseternity;fireeternalthateverburnsandneverdies."Heexcelledinhisconclusion."Oh,myfriends,"hecried,"IhavegivenyoubutashorttouchofthetormentsofHell.Thinkofabarnorsomeothergreatplacefilleduptopfullwithgrainsofcorn;andthinkofabirdcomingeverythousandyearsandfetchingawayoneofthosegrainsofcorn.