Запретный лес
VII. The First Blast
TrusttoyourgraundGospelpreachin’,Mr.David,towysefolkabettergait,forifyestartspeirin’abouttheWudye’llstirupabykethatwillstingyesair.Asmyfaitherusedtosay,himthatspitsagainstthewindspitsinhisainface.Trusttoconvictiono’sinbringin’evildoerstorepentance,ashonestMr.Macmichaeldidaforeye."
"DidMr.Macmichaelknowofthiswickedness?"
"Icannatell.Naedoothehadaglimmerin’.Buthewasaquietbodywhakeepittotheroadsandhisainfireside,andwasnalikeyoursel’,ayeryngin’thecountrylikeamoss-trooper....Becontent,sir,toletsleepin’tykeslietillyecancatchthemrauvagin’.Ye’veacongregationo’douceeidentfolk,andI’sewarrantye’llleadthemintilthestrauchtandnarrowway.Maybethewarst’snoasillasyethink.Maybeit’sjustasma’backslidin’inthemthat’spilgrimstoSion.They’reweelkennedtobesoundindoctrine,andtherewasmairsignedtheCovenant--"
"Peace,"hecried."Thisisrankblasphemy,andahorridhypocrisy.WhatcareIforlipservicewhenthereareprofessorswhoarelivingalie?WhoisthereIcantrust?Themanwhoisloudestinhisprofessionmaybeexultinginsecretanddreadfulevil.HewhomIthinkasaintmaybethechiefofsinners.AretherenotrueservantsofChristinWoodilee?"
"Plenty,"saidIsobel.
"Butwhoarethey?IhadthoughtRichieSmailattheGreenshielasaint,butamIwrong?"
"Na,na.Ye’resafewi’Richie."
"Andyourself,Isobel?"
Colourcameintoherstrainedface.
