Заборонений ліс
XVI. The Witch Hunt
"Ifonyneighbourhasonymisdeedinhismind,I’llwarranttowringitooto’theprickerasglibasabairn’sschule-lesson.I’llmak’himowntotheBlackMassinthekirkonHallowe’en....There’snanespeaks?Weel,we’llleavethedott’reltohisainconscience."
Herelaxedhisgrip,andthemandroppedgibberingandhalf-senselessonthefloor.
"There’syourbonnypricker,"saidMarktoChasehope."There’syourchoseninstrumentforgettingtruthouto’auldwives.Doasyoulikewi’him,butIcounselyetogethimfurtho’theparishifhebeafriendo’yours,orthefolkwillhaehiminthedeepestholeinWoodileeburn."
Chasehope,whiteandstammering,foundhimselfdesertedbyhisallies,buthestillshowedfight.
"Iprotest,"hecried."Ikennawhathellishtricksye’veplayedonaworthyman--"
"Justthesametricksasheplayedontheauldwife--aweebito’speirin’."
"It’snomyblame,"saidChasehope,changinghisground,"ifIhaveleanedonabrokenreed.Themanwassentherebyfolkthatvouchedforhisworth.Andnevertheless,whatevertheweaknesso’theinstrument,theLordhaswrochtthroughhimtoproduceaconfession--"
"Ay.Justso,"saidMarkdryly."Butwhatkindo’instrumentisyontoprocurethetruth?Willyegetcallerwaterouto’afoulpipe?"
"TheLordworks--"Chasehopebegan,butMarkbrokeinonhim.Hisdarkmockingface,inwhichthesquintofthelefteyewasnowmostnoticeableandformidable,wasthrustclosetotheother’s.
"Seehere,mybonnyman.