Запретный лес
I. The Coming of the Minister
Theministerinstinctivelygrippedhisstafftighter,butGibbie’sintentionwasofthefriendliest.
"Abrawguide’entoye,Mr.Sempill,sir.Isawyetak’thehillandIbodetofollow,forIwaswantin’tobidyewelcometoWoodilee.Man,yegangupthebrae-facelikeamaukin[ahare].Owerfast,Isaystomysel’,owerfastforamano’God,forwhatsaiththeWord,’Hethatbelievethshallnotmakehaste!’"
Thecreaturespokeinavoiceofgreatbeautyandsoftness--thevoiceratherofawomanthanofaman.Andashespokehebowed,andpattedtheminister’sarm,andpeeredintohisfacewithbrightwildeyes.ThenheclutchedDavidandforcedhimroundtillagainhewaslookingovertheWood.
"TheHillo’Deer’sagrandbitforaprospect,sir,forisitnoliketheHillo’PisgahfromwhichyecanspythePromisedLand?Yecanliftupyoureyestothehills,andyecanfeastthemonthebonnyhaughso’theAller,oronthedouceweeclachano’Woodilee,wi’thecotssittin’ascantyroundthekirkaskittlinsroundanauldcat."
"IwaslookingattheWood,"saidDavid.
Themanlaughedshrilly."Andabrawsichtitisinthegloamin’fraetheHillo’Deer.Foryecanseethesizeo’themucklespider’swab,butdounintheglenye’rethatclamjamphriedwi’michtytreesthatyourheidspinslikeapeeryandyoure’enaredozened.It’sauncothingtheWud,Mr.Sempill,sir?"
"Doyouknowyourwaysinit,Gibbie?"
"Me!Idaurnaenterit.Ikeeptheroad,forI’mfearedo’yondarkhowes."Thenhelaughedagain,andputhismouthclosetotheminister’sear.
