Заборонений ліс

VI. The Black Wood by Night

           "Seeandbehameingudetimeforyoursupper--I’vearaleguidyowe-milkkebbuck[cheese]forye,andanewbakin’o’cakes--andI’llhaethecan’leslichtitinyourchamberforyoutogettoyourbooks."

           Hesmiledathishousekeeper."Whythiscarefulness?"hesaid.

           Shelaugheduneasily."Naethingbyordinar.Butthisisthedaytheyca’theRood-MassandthemornistheBeltane,anditbehovesa’decentbodiestobeindoorsatthedarkenin’onBeltane’sEve.Myfaitherwasabauldman,buthewadnahavestirredafitoverhisaindoorsteponthenighto’Rood-Massforaking’sransom.There’sanitherBeltaneontheauchtdayofMay,andtillthat’sbywemaunwalkeidently."

           "Oldwives’tales,"hesaid.

           "Butthey’renaneauldwives’tales.They’rethetaleso’wisemenandbauldmen."

           "IthoughtofwalkingintheWood."

           "Mercyonus!"shecried."Ye’llnogangneartheWud.Noonthisdayo’a’days.It’sfou’o’bogles."

           Herinsistencevexedhim,andhespoketohersharply.Theheavypreoccupationofhismindhadputhimoutofpatiencewithfolly."Woman,"hecried,"whatconcernhasaservantofGodwiththeseheathenfables?Thinkshametorepeatsuchfolly."

           ButIsobelwasnotconvinced.Sheretiredindudgeontoherkitchen,andwatchedhismovementstillheleftthehouseasamotherwatchesadefiantchild."Ye’llbehameinguidtime?"shebegged.

           "IwillbehomewhenIchoose,"hesaid,andtoshowhisindependenceheputsomecheeseandbannocksinhispockets.

           Theafternoonwaswarmandbright,withathinhazeonthehighesthills.

Налаштування
Фон сторінки
Розмір шрифту
Міжрядковий інтервал
Фразові дієслова
Показати / Приховати меню
Шрифт
Roboto Lora
Уведомления
Сторінка 107 з 389