Запретный лес

           "NotbutwhatI’lltak’theWudattheproperseason.Tak’theWud,Mr.Sempill,likeotherfolkinWoodilee."

           Hepeeredintheminister’sfacetoseeifhewereunderstood.Satisfiedthathewasnot,helaughedagain.

           "Tak’Gibbie’sadvice,sir,andnogangneartheWud.It’snaeplaceformeno’God,likeyoursel’,sir,andpuirGibbie."

           "DotheycallittheBlackWood?"

           Gibbiespat."Incomin’bodies,naedoot,"hesaidincontempt."Butit’sjusttheWudwi’nae’black’abootit.Butkenyethenamethatauldfolkgie’dit?"Hebecameconfidentialagain."Theyca’ditMelanudrigill,"hewhispered.

           Davidrepeatedtheword.Hismindhadbeenrunningonheathenlearning,andhewonderedifthenamewereGreek.

           "Thatmightmeanthe’placeofdarkwaters,’"hesaid.

           "Na,na.Ye’rewrongthere,Mr.Sempill.There’snaedarkwatersinMelanudrigill.There’sthesevenburnsthatrinsouth,butthey’rea’asclearasAller.Butdinnaspeakthatnametoitherfolk,Mr.Sempill,anddinnaletonthatGibbietelledye.It’sawanchancyname.YecancryitinasafebitliketheHillo’Deer,butifyewastobreatheitintheWuduncothingsmichthappen.Idaurnaspeakmyainnameamongthetrees."

           "YournameisGibbie.Gibbiewhat?"

           Theman’sfaceseemedtonarrowinfearandthentoexpandinconfidence."Icantellittoaministero’theWord.It’sGilbertNiven.KenyewhereIgotthatname?IntheWud,sir.Kenyewhagie’ditme?TheGuidFolk.Ye’llnoletonthatItelledye