Заборонений ліс
VI. The Black Wood by Night
Heknewthechildren,andtherewerecertainoftheoldermenandwomenintheparishwhohadgivenhimtheirfriendship.PeterPennecuik,hisprincipalelderandsession-clerk,hefeltthatheknewtothebottom--whatlittletherewastoknow,forthemanwasasanctimoniousegotist.WithAmosRitchieandReiverslaw,too,hecouldstandasmanwithman....Butwithmanyoftheothershefencedaswithaliens;thefarmers,forexample,ChasehopeandMirehopeandNetherFennan,andSpotswoodthemiller,andvariouselderlyherdsandhinds,andthewivesofthem.Aboveall,hewasnonearertheyouthoftheparishthanwhenfirsthecame.Theslouchinghobbledehoylads,thegirls,somecomelyandhigh-coloured,somewaxenwhite--theywerecivilanddecent,butimpenetrable.ThereweremomentswhenhefoundhimselflookingofaSabbathathissoberrespectablefolkasahostilebody,whowatchedhimfurtivelylestheshouldlearntoomuchofthem....Woodileehadanillnameintheshire,Mr.Fordycehadtoldhimthefirstdayinthemanse.Forwhat?Whatwasthelifefromwhichhewassoresolutelybarred--he,theirminister,whoshouldknoweverysecretoftheirsouls?Whatwasbehindthoseshutteredeyes?Wasitfear?Hethoughtthattheremightbefearinit,butthatmorethanfearitwasawildandsinisterexpectation.
OnthelastdayofAprilhenotedthatIsobelwasillatease."Ye’llbeforadaunder,sir,"shesaidafterthemiddaymeal.
