Запретный лес
I. The Coming of the Minister
Muirheadhadfinishedhistalk,andthethreeministerstooktheirleave--theyofBoldandCauldshawtojogthemoorlandmilestotheirhomes,heofKirkAllertotakehis"four-hours"withChasehopeatLuckyWeir’sintheclachan.EachofthethreekissedDavidonthecheekandblessedhimafterhisfashion."MayyoulivetobeapillaroftheKirk,"saidMr.Muirhead."KeepaGospelwalk,"saidMr.Proudfoot,"onthenarrowriggingofthetruth."ButMr.Fordycetooktheyoungman’shand,aftersalutinghim,andhelditwithakindofwistfulaffection."Ipray,"hesaid,"thatyourwindowsmaybeeveropentowardsJerusalem."
WhenhisguestshadgoneDavidSempillexploredoncemorehislittledomain,likeachildwhocountshistreasures.Then,astheafternoonmellowedintoevening,theslopesoftheHillofDeer,redwithfloweringheather,drewhimforawalk.Hewantedawideprospect,toseehisparishinitssettingofhillandglen,andrecallthelandmarksnowblurredinhischildhood’smemory.HisblackcoatandbreecheswereofEdinburghmakeandtoofineformoorlandwork,buthehadstoutcountryshoesandhoseofram’swool,thegiftofhiscousin’swifeatNewbiggin,andhemovedoverthebentwiththelongstrideofashepherd.HecrossedtheburnofMire,andsawbelowhimthefarm-townofMirehope,withbarleyandnettlesatstrifeintheinfield,andtherun-rigsoftheoutfieldfeatheredwithverygreenoats.PresentlyhewasontheHillofDeer,wherethelongstacksofpeatsweredryingsowellthateverybreathofairsentupfromthemafineflurryofdust.
