Алая буква

           Shesilentlyascendedthesteps,andstoodontheplatform,holdinglittlePearlbythehand.Theministerfeltforthechild’sotherhand,andtookit.Themomentthathedidso,therecamewhatseemedatumultuousrushofnewlife,otherlifethanhisownpouringlikeatorrentintohisheart,andhurryingthroughallhisveins,asifthemotherandthechildwerecommunicatingtheirvitalwarmthtohishalf-torpidsystem.Thethreeformedanelectricchain.

           "Minister!"whisperedlittlePearl.

           "Whatwouldstthousay,child?"askedMr.Dimmesdale.

           "‘Wiltthoustandherewithmotherandme,to-morrownoontide?"inquiredPearl.

           "Nay;notso,mylittlePearl,"answeredtheminister;for,withthenewenergyofthemoment,allthedreadofpublicexposure,thathadsolongbeentheanguishofhislife,hadreturneduponhim;andhewasalreadytremblingattheconjunctioninwhich—withastrangejoy,nevertheless—henowfoundhimself—"notso,mychild.Ishall,indeed,standwiththymotherandtheeoneotherday,butnotto-morrow."

           Pearllaughed,andattemptedtopullawayherhand.Buttheministerhelditfast.

           "Amomentlonger,mychild!"saidhe.

           "Butwiltthoupromise,"askedPearl,"totakemyhand,andmother’shand,to-morrownoontide?"

           "Notthen,Pearl,"saidtheminister;"butanothertime."

           "Andwhatothertime?"persistedthechild.