Алая буква
The Market–Place
"Makeway,goodpeople—makeway,intheKing’sname!"criedhe."Openapassage;andIpromiseye,MistressPrynneshallbesetwhereman,woman,andchildmayhaveafairsightofherbraveapparelfromthistimetillanhourpastmeridian.AblessingontherighteouscolonyoftheMassachusetts,whereiniquityisdraggedoutintothesunshine!Comealong,MadameHester,andshowyourscarletletterinthemarket-place!"
Alanewasforthwithopenedthroughthecrowdofspectators.Precededbythebeadle,andattendedbyanirregularprocessionofstern-browedmenandunkindlyvisagedwomen,HesterPrynnesetforthtowardstheplaceappointedforherpunishment.Acrowdofeagerandcuriousschoolboys,understandinglittleofthematterinhand,exceptthatitgavethemahalf-holiday,ranbeforeherprogress,turningtheirheadscontinuallytostareintoherfaceandatthewinkingbabyinherarms,andattheignominiousletteronherbreast.Itwasnogreatdistance,inthosedays,fromtheprisondoortothemarket-place.Measuredbytheprisoner’sexperience,however,itmightbereckonedajourneyofsomelength;forhaughtyasherdemeanourwas,sheperchanceunderwentanagonyfromeveryfootstepofthosethatthrongedtoseeher,asifherhearthadbeenflungintothestreetforthemalltospurnandtrampleupon.Inournature,however,thereisaprovision,alikemarvellousandmerciful,thatthesufferershouldneverknowtheintensityofwhatheenduresbyitspresenttorture,butchieflybythepangthatranklesafterit.
