Запретный лес
XVI. The Witch Hunt
Fromtheidiotonhisperchcameanunexpectedencouragement."Fine,sir.Fine,mybonnyMr.David,"criedGibbie."Stapyourswordinhiswame.I’lluphaudyewi’mystaff,forthepuirkimmerwasill-guidit.Icouldnasleepawinka’nichtforherskellochs."
Avoicebrokeinonthestorm,andDavidsawthatitwasthenewtenantofCrossbasket.
"Putupyourblade,sir,"hesaid."There’snoneedforfightingamongChristianfolk.Thesehonestmenhavebeenfollowingthelightvouchsafedtothem,andifthere’sblametobecastit’sonthisprickerchielthatcomesfromIknownotwhere."
Therewassomethinginthequiettoneswhichfelllikeoilonyeastywater.Davidsettledbackhisswordintoitssheath,Mirehopesatdownagainonhiskeg,Chasehopeturnedhisheadtothespeakerwiththefirstsignofdiscomposurehehadyetshown.
"Ye’llforgiveme,neighbours,"Markcontinued,"sinceI’mbutnewcometotheparish,butI’veseenahantleo’theworld,andIwouldbewaetoseehonestmenruntheirheidsagainstastonewall.Thewomanmaybea’yousayandwaur,butitlooksasifherhandlin’hadbeenowersair,andI’mmucklemista’enifshe’llnobeacorperemorning.Consider,friends.--ThisisnoacourtconstitutedbyaPrivyCouncilcommission;it’snaemairthanaprivategatheringo’well-wisherstotheKirkandtheLaw.InmytimeI’vemeddledowermuchwi’theLawformycomfort,andIkensomethingaboutthejaud.
