Запретный лес
XI. The Minister Girds up his Loins
Astheoldowercomehasit,hesuldbidestillthathasrivenbreeks."
Mr.Muirheadspokewithaweightyassurance,andasDavidlookedathisshrewdcoarsefacehefeltasuddenhelplessness.Itwouldbehardtoconvinceatribunalsoprejudiced--inwhoseears,perhaps,Chasehopehadalreadyspoken.
"Myadvicetoyou,"thevoicewenton,"istogetyouhomeandletthesteersettle.There’snothinginthesepapersthatcallsforactionbythePresbytery--justhearsayandidlefama,thevisionsofanexcitedyoungmanandtheleesofadruckenreprobate.Nodoubtyoumeanwell,butIwillhomologatenocoursewhichfastensevilonamanwhoserighteousnesshasbeenabundantlyproven.Havemindofthevirtueofcharity,sir,whichthinkethnoevil.Iopinethatyou’reowerreadytothinkevil.Bringbeforemewise-likeevidenceandIwillbeprompttoact,butnotthesehavers."
Sofarhehadspokenwithakindofroughgood-humour,butnowhisvoicebecameharsh.
"TheytellmeyouhaveconductednopublicworshiptheselasttwoSabbaths,"hesaidfiercely.
"Iwillnotleadmyfolkintodeeperhypocrisy,"saidDavid."IwillnotpreachorprayinthekirktillIalsodenouncethesinners,andthatIpurposetodoonthenextLord’sday."
"Youwilldonosuchthing,"saidMr.Muirheadsternly."I,yourelder,andfatherinGod,forbidyou."
"Imustfollowmyownconscience,"saidDavid."IamasconvincedoftheabominationsoftheWoodandofthepersonsthatpartakeinthemasthatIamsittingwithyouhereinKirkAllerthisAugustmorning."
"Youwouldaddcontumacytoyourfolly,"theotherroared.
