Заборонений ліс
I. The Coming of the Minister
"
Thenightwasnowfallen,andDavidturnedforhome,afteronelastlookatthepitofblacknessbeneathhim.Theidiothobbledbesidehim,coveringthegroundatapacewhichtriedevenhisyounglegs,andashewenthebabbled.
"Tak’Gibbie’sadviceandkeepfarfraetheWud,Mr.Sempill,andifye’reforRoodfootorCalidonhaudbytheguidroad.I’veheardtellthatintheaulddays,whentherewasmonksatthekirkton,theybodetogangouteveryyearwi’bellsandcandlesandblesstheroadtokeepitfreeo’bogles.ButtheyneverventuredintotheWud,honestmen.I’llnosaybutwhataministerismairpowerfu’thanamonk,butaneidentbodywillrunnaerisks.KeeptofinecallerbitslikethisHillo’Deer,andifyewanttotraivel,gangwestbyChasehopeoreastbyKirkAller.There’snochtforamano’GodintheWud."
"Aretherenoneofmyfolkthere?"
ForasecondGibbiestoppedasifthunderstruck."Yourfolk!"hecried."IntheWud!"ThenheperceivedDavid’smeaning."Na,na.There’snaedwallin’there.NetherFennanisnofaroffandReiverslawisabowshotfromthetrees,buttobideintheWud!--Na,na,amanwouldbesairlefttohimsel’ereheventuredthat!There’snaehoosebiggit[built]byhumanhandthatwadnabeclaweddounbyboglesaforethewa’raseaspanfraethegrund."
AttheoutfieldofMirehopeGibbiefledabruptly,chantinglikeanightbird.
