Запретный лес
V. The Black Wood by Day
IhavelivedmostlyinFrancesincemyfatherdied."
"Thatiswhyyourspeechissostrangetomyears."
"Andyourstomine,"sheretorted."ButAuntGrizelisteachingmetobeagoodScotswoman.Iammadetospintillmyarmsareweary,andtomakehorridbrewsofherbs,andtocookyourstrangedishes.’Kaatrine,yedaftquean,whatformaunyefillthehoosewi’floorishandnestygreenbusses?D’yethinkwe’renowtandtheauldtowero’Calidonabyre?’ThatisAuntGrizel.Butsheislikeagooddogandbarksbutdoesnotbite,thoughtheserving-maidswalkinterror.Iplaywithheratthecartes,andshetellsmetales,butnotsuchgoodonesasUncleNick’s.Heigho!Iwishthewarswereoverandhewerehomeagain....Now,sir,whatdoyouthinkofthis?ItisthegateofParadise."
Shehadledhimintoapartofthewoodwherethepinesceasedandagreencleftwaslinedwithburstinghazelsandrowansandthetasselsofbirch.Theplacewasratherhillthanwoodland,fortheturfwasasfineasonamountain-side,andinthecentreabubblingspringsentoutarivulet,whichtwinedamongtheflowerstillitdroppedinalongcascadetoalowershelf.Primroses,violets,andanemonesmadeitasbrightasagarden.
"IcallthisParadise,"shesaid,"becauseitishardformortalstofind.Youwouldnotguessitwasheretillyoustumbledonit."
"It’sawayfromthepines,"hesaid.
Shenoddedherhead."Ilovethedarktreeswellenough,andonadaylikethisIamhappyamongthem.Buttheyaremoodythings,andwhenthereisnosunandthewindblowstheymakemesad.
