Заборонений ліс
XIV. The Counterblast
ThatisthelawofScotland,sir,anditisthelawofeveryChristianland,andyouhavelamentablyfailedinthatpriorduty."
"Thereismyownevidence--theevidenceofaneyewitness.YoumayaccountforReiverslaw,butyouhavestilltoaccountforme."
"Justso."AgrimhumourseemedtolurkatthecornerofMr.Muirhead’smouth."Wehavetoaccountforyou,Mr.Sempill,anditseemsthatitwillbeasorebusiness.ForIhavehere"--hetappedapaper--"anotherdittayinwhichyouyourselfarenamed.Itispainfulformeeventogiveeartoaccusationsagainstabrotheronwhoseheadmyownhandshavebeenlaidinholyordination.ButIhavemysolemndutytoperform,andmustconsiderthecomplaintsofakirksessionagainstaministerascarefullyandprayerfullyasthoseofaministeragainstakirksession."
TheeffectonDavidwasofasuddenclearingoftheairandabracingofnerve.Thiswas,then,tobenoone-sidedwar,forhisenemieshaddeclaredthemselves,andmetattackbycounter-attack.HesmiledattheportentoussolemnityofMr.Muirhead’sface.
"Icanguessoneofthenamesappendedtothecharge,"hesaid."ItisthatofChasehope."
Mr.Muirheadturnedoverthepaper."EphraimCairdisthere,andothersnolessweighty.ThereisPeterPennecuik...andAlexanderSprotinMirehope...andThomasSpotswoodinthemillofWoodilee.Ifgodlyeldersareconstrainedtodelatehimwhohasbeensetovertheminspiritualaffairs,it’sscarcelyathingtobemetwithasmirkandagrin."
"Iamwaitingtohearthecharge."
"Itistwofold.