Алая буква
Hester and Pearl
ThethoughtoccurredtoHester,thatthechildmightreallybeseekingtoapproachherwithchildlikeconfidence,anddoingwhatshecould,andasintelligentlyassheknewhow,toestablishameeting-pointofsympathy.ItshowedPearlinanunwontedaspect.Heretofore,themother,whilelovingherchildwiththeintensityofasoleaffection,hadschooledherselftohopeforlittleotherreturnthanthewaywardnessofanAprilbreeze,whichspendsitstimeinairysport,andhasitsgustsofinexplicablepassion,andispetulantinitsbestofmoods,andchillsoftenerthancaressesyou,whenyoutakeittoyourbosom;inrequitalofwhichmisdemeanoursitwillsometimes,ofitsownvaguepurpose,kissyourcheekwithakindofdoubtfultenderness,andplaygentlywithyourhair,andthenbegoneaboutitsotheridlebusiness,leavingadreamypleasureatyourheart.Andthis,moreover,wasamother’sestimateofthechild’sdisposition.Anyotherobservermighthaveseenfewbutunamiabletraits,andhavegiventhemafardarkercolouring.ButnowtheideacamestronglyintoHester’smind,thatPearl,withherremarkableprecocityandacuteness,mightalreadyhaveapproachedtheagewhenshecouldhavebeenmadeafriend,andintrustedwithasmuchofhermother’ssorrowsascouldbeimparted,withoutirreverenceeithertotheparentorthechild.
