Заборонений ліс

           EvidencewhichwasoverwhelmingtohisownmindwouldnotconvincethePresbyteryortheSheriff.Hecouldnotbringareasonedchargeagainstanymanorwomanintheparish.Asthedayspassedhebegantosortouthisflockinhismindastheguiltyandtheabettors.Somewereinnocentenough,saveforthesinofapathy;butothershecouldbelievetohavesharedinthemidnightdebauches--heavy-browed,sensualyouths,womenwithshiftyeyes,girlshigh-colouredandover-blown,whosesidelongglancesseemedtohintatsecrets,oldwives,too,whosewildlaughterheheardatcottagedoors.Butofone,hisfirstcertaintywasgivingwaytodoubt.EphraimCaird’swhitefacehadgotawholesometanfromthesummersun,andhealoneintheparishseemedtoseekouttheminister.Hegavehimacheerfulgreetingwhentheymet,spokewiselyofparishmatters,hadawordofhumblecommendationfortheSabbathdiscourses."It’sgauntobeabrawyearfortheaits,"hesaid,"gintheweatherhauds,andthelambsarethebestI’veyetseenonChasehopehill.Letushope,sir,thattheguidseedye’vesownwillcometoasbountifulahairst."Thewordsweresosimplyspokenthattheyseemednohypocrisy.

           Aplanofcampaign!OnthatDavidcouldgetnoclearness,andtheanxietywaswithhimatbedandboard.Heshrankfromconfessinghimselftohisbrother-ministers,forwhatcouldtheydotohelphim?KirkAllerwouldpooh-poohthewholething,sinceWoodileehadbeensoforwardinsigningtheCovenant.Boldwouldnodoubtbelieve,buthisremedywouldbeonlyastifferdraughtofdoctrine.EvenMr.