Запретный лес

           Itwasthatofamanofmiddleage,dressedliketheotherfarmersinhomespun,butholdinghimselfwithasprucenessrareinaplacewheremenandwomenweresoonbowedintheshouldersbyunremittingtoil.Hischeekswereshaven,sothathestoodoutfromtheothers,since,besidestheminister,onlyChasehopewasunbearded.Hisskinwasasbrownasahazel-nut,andthoughthefacewascomposedtoadecentgravity,therewasavigourinthelinesofitwhichspokeofalifenotalwaysgrave.ThemanhadabluebonnetofapatterncommonnearertheBorder--smallerthantheordinarytypewhichcamefromtheWestlands--andafterthefashionofCheviotandLiddesdalehehadacheckedplaidofthekindcalledshepherds’tartan.Butinthecastinthelefteye,shownbyasuddenliftingoftheface,herevealedhisidentity.

           Thestrangerdidnotwaittospeaktotheminister,butDavidfoundAmosRitchieatthekirkyardgate,andaskedconcerninghim."It’sthenewmanthathasta’enthetacko’Crossbasket,"wastheanswer."He’sfraethefarBorders--Jeddartway,theytellme--andit’snoeasytounderstandthewildhilltongueo’him.Buthe’sadecent,weel-spokenbody,anditseemshe’saskillyfairmerandagraundjudgeo’sheep.Hehasstockithismailin’weel,andhasafullhirselonWindyways....Na,he’sasinglemanandbaudstohimsel’,thoughhehasanameforaguidneebor."

           Amosaccompaniedtheministertothemanse,andtherewasashyfriendlinessinhisair,asifheregrettedtheestrangementofthesummer.