Запретный лес
XXI. The Going of the Minister
Butthatheshouldhavelivedamongthemgavethemafeelingofdistinctionandadventure,andtheyoungerpeoplecastcuriouseyestowardstheemptyhouseofCrossbasket.
Itwasthefirstdaythatspringseemedtohavecomeintotheair,andthecongregation,waitinginthekirkyardforthearrivaloftheministers,werewarmedbyamildandpleasantsun.Theeldersstoodbythegate,eachinhisbestattire,wearing--eventhemiller--anairofceremonialgravity.
"ThisisagreatdayforWoodilee,"saidNetherFennan,"andagreatdayforChrist’sKirkinScotland.Wecleansethetabernacleofanunworthyvessel,andwoeismethatsomeo’thebauldestandstenchestChristianshavenolivedtoseeit.PeterPennecuik--honestPeterhadnaebrooo’Sempill--cloutso’cauldmorality,washisword--Peterhasganeowersoontohisreward."
"What’scomeo’Chasehope?"Mirehopeasked."Hesuldhavebeenherelangsyne.He’llsurelynobelateonthisheart-searchingday."
"IheardfromtheChasehopeherd,"saidthemiller,"thatEphraimnevercam’hamelastnight.Thewifewassairconcerned,butshejalouseditwouldbePresbyterybusiness."
"Butthatwasa’byanddonewi’bythreeintheafternoon.Hewouldbeseein’EdomTrumbullaboutthenewaits.Stillandon,it’snolikeChasehopetoletwarldlymattersinterferewi’hisChristianduty....Eh,sirs,whatatestimonyWoodileewillbeartheday!Mr.Mungoistoproclaimtheouting,andMr.Ebenezeristopreachthesermon,andonsicanoccasionBoldislikeahungrygledandthevoiceo’himlikeaJanuar’blast.
