Заборонений ліс
XVI. The Witch Hunt
TheLawhasnocognizanceofaprickeroronythinglikehim,andifwell-meaningfolkunderhisguidingcompassthedeathofamanorwomanthathasnotbeendulytriedandsentenced,theLawwilluphaudittobemurder,justasmuckleasifacairdhadcutathroatatadyke-side.Igreatlyfearye’vebroughtyourselvesintoitsdangerbythisday’swork."
Markspokewithanairofanxiousandfriendlycandourthatcalledfornoopposition.Indeeditwasplainthatmorethanoneofhishearershadsimilardoubtsoftheirown.
"Thewife’sweeleneuch,"saidMirehope."Ye’llnokillatoughauldgreyhenlikethatwi’araxedthumborbrunttaes."
"Ihopeyou’rericht,neighbour,"saidMark."Butifshesulddee,whatwillyesaytotheShirra--andwhattotheCourto’Justiciar?Ye’vetakendounfraehermouthalongscreedo’crimes,butI’moftheminister’sopinion,thatthey’rewhatonydistrackitbodywadadmitthatwasnaverrastrongintheintellectualsandfandherpaiks[punishment]owersairforher.Lordblessme,butthey’remaisto’themowercomesIheardatmygrannie’sknee.Icounselyeinallfriendlinesstolettheministerdohisbesttokeepherinlife,oritsticksinmymindthatWoodileewillmak’anillshowingwhentheKing’sjudgesreddupthebusiness."
Chasehopeangrilydissented,buthehadfewsupporters.Mostoftheothersworeananxiousair.
"Icometothematterofthepricker."Mark’shomelywheedlingtoneswerelikethoseofapackmaninanale-housekitchen."Ikennochtabouthim,butIcannasayIlikethelookso’him.