Запретный лес

           --Yecangetonymortaldaftnessouto’manorwomanifyefirstputfearonthem.Ye’veseentheauldwifeandye’veseenthepricker.Doyoucomeforritforenentthelicht.Ye’reabuirdlychiel,andweelspokeno’forcanniness.Yecankeepyourthumbsunraxedandyourhideunscorchedforme,butbytheGodabuneusI’llwarrantthatintenminutesbytheknockI’llhaeyeconfessin’fautsthatwillkeepthehaillparishwaukrifetillYule....Willyetholethetrial?"

           Thebigmanshrankback."Na,na.IkennawhatspelltheDeilhasgienye,butye’llnolayitonme."

           "Somucklethebetterforyoursel’."Markturnedtotheothers."Ye’vea’seen,neighbours,thatmyspell,asheca’sit,wasnaemairthanjustanhonestspeirin’.I’mlothtothinkthatthisclachanshouldsufferforwhathasbeendonethisday,sothesoonerwegetthewifetobedandweel-tendedthebetterforusa’."

           "Sheshallgotothemanseatonce,"saidDavid.Hehadbeenexaminingthetorturedwoman,whohadpassedintounconsciousness,anditseemedtohimthatherheartbeatveryfaintly.

           "Thatwillbewisest,nodoubt,"saidMark,butatthispointChasehopefoundsupportinhisprotest.Mirehope,NetherFennan,andthemillerexchangedanxiouslooks.

           "TakehertoAlisonGeddie,"theycried."Shehasatoom[empty]bed,andit’snearby."

           "Shewillgotomyownhouse,"saidDavid,"andbenursedbymyownhand.Itrustnomanorwomanofyouafterto-day’sdevilry."

           Theplacehadfilledup,anditseemedtohimthatthebetterpartoftheparishwerenowonlookers.