Алая буква
The Leech and His Patient
Hemarvelled,indeed,attheviolencewithwhichhehadthrustbackthekindoldman,whenmerelyprofferingtheadvicewhichitwashisdutytobestow,andwhichtheministerhimselfhadexpresslysought.Withtheseremorsefulfeelings,helostnotimeinmakingtheamplestapologies,andbesoughthisfriendstilltocontinuethecarewhich,ifnotsuccessfulinrestoringhimtohealth,had,inallprobability,beenthemeansofprolonginghisfeebleexistencetothathour.RogerChillingworthreadilyassented,andwentonwithhismedicalsupervisionoftheminister;doinghisbestforhim,inallgoodfaith,butalwaysquittingthepatient’sapartment,atthecloseoftheprofessionalinterview,withamysteriousandpuzzledsmileuponhislips.ThisexpressionwasinvisibleinMr.Dimmesdale’spresence,butgrewstronglyevidentasthephysiciancrossedthethreshold.
"Ararecase,"hemuttered."Imustneedslookdeeperintoit.Astrangesympathybetwixtsoulandbody!Wereitonlyfortheart’ssake,Imustsearchthismattertothebottom."
Itcametopass,notlongafterthesceneaboverecorded,thattheReverendMr.Dimmesdale,noon-day,andentirelyunawares,fellintoadeep,deepslumber,sittinginhischair,withalargeblack-lettervolumeopenbeforehimonthetable.Itmusthavebeenaworkofvastabilityinthesomniferousschoolofliterature
