Мхи старої садиби
Roger Malvin's Burial
"Go,andGodspeedyou!"
Theyouthpressedhishandinsilence,turned,andwasdeparting.Hisslowandfalteringsteps,however,hadbornehimbutalittlewaybeforeMalvin’svoicerecalledhim.
"Reuben,Reuben,"saidhe,faintly;andReubenreturnedandkneltdownbythedyingman.
"Raiseme,andletmeleanagainsttherock,"washislastrequest."Myfacewillbeturnedtowardshome,andIshallseeyouamomentlongerasyoupassamongthetrees."
Reuben,havingmadethedesiredalterationinhiscompanion’sposture,againbeganhissolitarypilgrimage.Hewalkedmorehastilyatfirstthanwasconsistentwithhisstrength;forasortofguiltyfeeling,whichsometimestormentsmenintheirmostjustifiableacts,causedhimtoseekconcealmentfromMalvin’seyes;butafterhehadtroddenfarupontherustlingforestleaveshecreptback,impelledbyawildandpainfulcuriosity,and,shelteredbytheearthyrootsofanuptorntree,gazedearnestlyatthedesolateman.Themorningsunwasunclouded,andthetreesandshrubsimbibedthesweetairofthemonthofMay;yetthereseemedagloomonNature’sface,asifshesympathizedwithmortalpainandsorrowRogerMalvin’shandswereupliftedinaferventprayer,someofthewordsofwhichstolethroughthestillnessofthewoodsandenteredReuben’sheart,torturingitwithanunutterablepang.TheywerethebrokenaccentsofapetitionforhisownhappinessandthatofDorcas;and,astheyouthlistened,conscience,orsomethinginitssimilitude,pleadedstronglywithhimtoreturnandliedownagainbytherock.
