Запретный лес

           Eachelderhadhisownfavouritesamongthepoor,andChasehopeandMirehopeandNetherFennanwrangledovereverygrant.Theminister,stillnewtotheplace,forthemostpartheldhispeace,butnowandthen,incaseswhichheknewof,heassertedhisauthority.Therewasawoman,nonetoowellreputed,wholivedatChasehope-foot,withabuxomblack-eyeddaughter,andwhosehouse,thoughlamentablydirtyandillguided,seemedtolacknothing.WhenheopposedChasehope’sdemandthatsheshouldreceiveabenefactionasalonewidow,hehadarevelationofChasehope’stemper.Thewhitefacecrimsoned,andthegreenisheyeslookedforamomentasuglyasasnarlingdog’s."WorthyMr.Macmichael..."hebegan,butDavidcuthimshort."Thesemoneysareforthereliefofthehelplesspoor,"hesaid,"andtheyarescantenoughatthebest.Ishouldthinkshametowasteabodleexceptonapitifulnecessity.Tohimorherthathathshallnotbegiven,whileIamtheministerofthisparish."Chasehopesaidnothing,andpresentlyhemasteredhisannoyance,butthefarmerofMirehope--AlexanderSprotwashisname--mutteredsomethinginanundertonetohisneighbour,andtherewastensionintheairtillthelaughoftheWoodileemillerbrokeit.Thisman,oneSpotswood,reckonedtherichestintheparishandtheclosest,hadajollylaughwhichbeliedhisreputation."Mr.Sempill’sintheright,Chasehope,"hecried."Jeano’theChasehope-fitcanmanagefinewi’whathergudemanlefther.Wedaurnabelovishwi’itherfolks’siller.""Iamoverruled,"saidChasehope,andspokenomore.