Запретный лес
V. The Black Wood by Day
"
"ButJean,thegoose-girlwhotaughtitme,rememberedjusttheoneverse.IwishIwasapoettomakeothers."
Abovethewellwasoneofthosecirclesofgreenmoundswhichcountrypeoplecallfairy-rings.Thegirlseatedherselfinthecentreandbegantomakeposiesoftheflowersshehadpicked.Davidlayontheturfatherfeet,watchingthequickmovementofherhands,hisgarlandedhatremovedandthetemperatesunwarminghisbody.Neverhadhefeltsobathedinhappypeace.
Thepixieseatedabovehimsparedtimefromherflowerstoglancedownathim,andfoundhimregardingherwithabstractedeyes.Forhewastryingtofitthisbrightcreatureintohisschemeofthings.Didtheworldofthetwoofthemtouchnowheresaveinthiswoodland?
"YouruncleisthechiefheritorinWoodileeparish,"hesaid,"butyoudonotcometothekirk."
"IwastherenolongerbackthanlastSunday--"shesaid.
"Sabbath,"hecorrected.
"Sabbath,ifyouwillhaveitso.CalidonisinCauldshawparish,anditwastoCauldshawkirkwewent.Fourwearymilesofjoggingonaplough-horse,IridingpilliontoAuntGrizel.Beforethatthedriftsweretoodeeptotaketheroad....IhaveheardmanyasermonfromMr.Fordyce."
"Heisagoodman."
"Heisadullman.Suchapreachmentondismaltexts.’Seventhly,mybrethren,andinparenthesis--’"shemimicked."Butheisbeyonddoubtgood,andAuntGrizelsaysshehasbenefitedfromhiswords,andwouldfainrepayhimbyhealinghisdisorders.Hehasmanybodilydisorders,thepoorman,andAuntGrizellovessermonsmuch,buthersimplesmore.
