Запретный лес
VII. The First Blast
BlitheIwastofindthebreathstillinye,butIhadasairjobgettin’yetoyourbed,sir,forye’reawearywechtforanauldwumman.ThesunwasuporIgotyourwoundswashedandsalved,andsyneIsatbythebedprayin’totheLordthatyesuldwaukeninyourrichtmind,forIsawfinethatthewoundso’yourbodywouldheal,butIfearedthatthewitsmichthavecleanganefraeye.AndnowIamabundantlyanswered,forye’respeakin’likeyoursel’,andyoureen’sasImindthem,andtheblood’sbackintilyourcheeks.TheLordbethankit!"
ButtherewasnojubilationinIsobel’svoice.Herfingerstwinedconfusedly,andhereyeswandered.
"Doyouknowwhatbefellme?"heasked.
"Eh,sirs,howsuldIken?"
"Butwhatdoyouthink?Youfindmeinthesmallhourslyingsenselessatyourdoor,withmyfacescarredandmybodybruised.WhatdoyouthinkIhadsuffered?"
"Ithinkyewereclawedbybogles,whilka’bodykensaregi’enafreedispensationonRood-MassE’en."
"Woman,whatisthistalkofboglesfromlipsthathaveconfessedChrist?IwasassaultedbytheDevil,buthisemissarieswerefleshandblood.Itellyouitwaswomen’snailsthattoremyface,andmen’shandsthatclutchedmythroat.IwalkedintheWood,forwhathasaministerofGodtofearfromtreesanddarkness?AndasIwalkedIfoundinanopenplaceaheathenaltar,andthataltarwascoveredwithalinencloth,asifforasacrament.Iwasafraid--Iconfessitwithshame--buttheLordusedmyfearforHisownpurpose,andledmebackinmyflighttothatveryaltar.
