Этюд в багровых тонах
John Ferrier talks with the Prophet.
Wepickedyouupwhenyouwerestarvinginthedesert,wesharedourfoodwithyou,ledyousafetotheChosenValley,gaveyouagoodlyshareofland,andallowedyoutowaxrichunderourprotection. Isnotthisso?”
“Itisso,”answeredJohnFerrier.
“Inreturnforallthisweaskedbutonecondition: thatwas,thatyoushouldembracethetruefaith,andconformineverywaytoitsusages. Thisyoupromisedtodo,andthis,ifcommonreportsaystruly,youhaveneglected.”
“AndhowhaveIneglectedit?”askedFerrier,throwingouthishandsinexpostulation. “HaveInotgiventothecommonfund? HaveInotattendedattheTemple? HaveInot——?”
“Whereareyourwives?”askedYoung,lookingroundhim. “Callthemin,thatImaygreetthem.”
“ItistruethatIhavenotmarried,”Ferrieranswered. “Butwomenwerefew,andthereweremanywhohadbetterclaimsthanI. Iwasnotalonelyman:Ihadmydaughtertoattendtomywants.”
“ItisofthatdaughterthatIwouldspeaktoyou,”saidtheleaderoftheMormons. “ShehasgrowntobetheflowerofUtah,andhasfoundfavourintheeyesofmanywhoarehighintheland.”
JohnFerriergroanedinternally.
“TherearestoriesofherwhichIwouldfaindisbelieve—storiesthatsheissealedtosomeGentile. Thismustbethegossipofidletongues. WhatisthethirteenthruleinthecodeofthesaintedJosephSmith? ‘Leteverymaidenofthetruefaithmarryoneoftheelect;forifshewedaGentile,shecommitsagrievoussin.’
