Запретный лес
XV. Hallowmass
Itisonewhomyouknow--KatrineYester."
"MistressKatrine!"Mr.Fordycecriedout."TheyounglassiefromCalidon.Mr.David,Mr.David,isthisnotaqueerbusinessforaministeroftheKirk?Forbyethatsheisofahousethatisnonetoofriendlytoourcalling--thoughfarbeitformetodenyherChristiangraces--forbyethat,Isay,sheisofthehighgentrice.WhatkindofwifewouldshebeforapoorGospelpreacher?"
"Oh,man,there’snoquestionofwife.Youmakemeblushtohearyou.Theladywouldneverthinkofmeanymorethananeaglewouldmatewithathrostle.Butaministerisamanlikethelave[rest],andthisoneismostdeeplyinlove,thoughhehasnotthethousandthpartofahope.There’snoshameinanhonestlove,whichwasablessinggiventomanbyGod’sownselfinEden."
"It’samatterIkenlittleof,"saidMr.Fordyceshyly."MeandAnniehavebeenthatlongweddedthatwe’veforgotwhatourwooingwaslike.Shewasnaby-ordinarinlooks,Imind,butshehadabonnyvoice,andshehadmenseandsenseandafinehandformakingapplejeely....MistressKatrine!Youflyhigh,David,butIwouldnasay--Iwouldnasay....Anywayyou’veawell-wisherinme....ButKatrineYester!"
DavidlefttheministerofCauldshawingeminatingthatname,andinablinkoffineweathersetoutonhiswayhome.HewasonfootandbeyondReiverslaw,wheretheroadfirstrunsoutofthebirkstotheHillofDeer,whenhewasovertakenbyahorseman.
