Запретный лес

           ’"

           "Maybethat’sthetruth,"saidDavid.

           "Ay,it’sthetruth,andI’mblithetohearyeacknowledgeit....Butwe’llhaethelassiein,forthiscrackconcernshermaist.Thecunnin’limmer,tokeepsaemumandbegowkherauldauntie!"

           WhenKatrineappeared,hercheeksalittleflushedandhereyebright,shewasgreetedbyMistressGrizelwithsurprisinggentleness.

           "What’sthisIhearo’ye,lassie?Ye’vegottenajoeandnevertelledme!...Na,na,mylamb,dinnabefearedthatI’llflyteonye.It’saroadwemauna’travel,andnaedoubtwedlockisaholyandblessedstateandahantlebetterthanspinsterhood,forawomanmauneitherbeguiditbyahusbandorbesubjecttoa’andsindry.Butit’saseriousstep,andwantscarefu’andprayerfu’thocht.I’vehadawordwi’Davie--forItak’thelibertytoca’himDavieasifheweremyainson--andasindutyboundI’vesetforththedifficulties.Isaynaethingagainstyeasaman,Davie.Ye’rewise-likeandweel-spoken,andye’vegentleways,ifyehaenagentlebluid.ButIsaymuckleagainstyeasaminister,andIcannapictureKatrineastheleddyo’amanse.Forbye,there’sthesolemnfactthatye’vemadeWoodileeowerhetabittobidein,andwhatye’vedonethereye’lldaeinonyitherparochineintheland....Saehearkentome,sir.Ye’vemista’enyourtrade,likemonyanitherhonestlad,butthefautcanbemended.Ye’reyoungeneuchtostartinabetter."

           KatrinehadmovedtoDavid’ssideandlaidherhandonhisshoulder.