Алая буква
The Leech and His Patient
TherewasalookofpaininherfacewhichIwouldgladlyhavebeensparedthesightof.Butstill,methinks,itmustneedsbebetterforthesufferertobefreetoshowhispain,asthispoorwomanHesteris,thantocoveritupinhisheart."
Therewasanotherpause,andthephysicianbegananewtoexamineandarrangetheplantswhichhehadgathered.
"Youinquiredofme,alittletimeagone,"saidhe,atlength,"myjudgmentastouchingyourhealth."
"Idid,"answeredtheclergyman,"andwouldgladlylearnit.Speakfrankly,Iprayyou,beitforlifeordeath."
"Freelythen,andplainly,"saidthephysician,stillbusywithhisplants,butkeepingawaryeyeonMr.Dimmesdale,"thedisorderisastrangeone;notsomuchinitselfnorasoutwardlymanifested—insofar,atleastasthesymptomshavebeenlaidopentomyobservation.Lookingdailyatyou,mygoodsir,andwatchingthetokensofyouraspectnowformonthsgoneby,Ishoulddeemyouamansoresick,itmaybe,yetnotsosickbutthataninstructedandwatchfulphysicianmightwellhopetocureyou.ButIknownotwhattosay,thediseaseiswhatIseemtoknow,yetknowitnot."
"Youspeakinriddles,learnedsir,"saidthepaleminister,glancingasideoutofthewindow.
"Then,tospeakmoreplainly,"continuedthephysician,"andIcravepardon,sir,shoulditseemtorequirepardon,forthisneedfulplainnessofmyspeech.
