Алая буква
The Pastor and His Parishioner
Happyareyou,Hester,thatwearthescarletletteropenlyuponyourbosom!Mineburnsinsecret!Thoulittleknowestwhatareliefitis,afterthetormentofasevenyears’cheat,tolookintoaneyethatrecognisesmeforwhatIam!HadIonefriend—orwereitmyworstenemy!—towhom,whensickenedwiththepraisesofallothermen,Icoulddailybetakemyself,andknownasthevilestofallsinners,methinksmysoulmightkeepitselfalivethereby.Eventhusmuchoftruthwouldsaveme!Butnow,itisallfalsehood!—allemptiness!—alldeath!"
HesterPrynnelookedintohisface,buthesitatedtospeak.Yet,utteringhislong-restrainedemotionssovehementlyashedid,hiswordshereofferedhertheverypointofcircumstancesinwhichtointerposewhatshecametosay.Sheconqueredherfears,andspoke:
"Suchafriendasthouhastevennowwishedfor,"saidshe,"withwhomtoweepoverthysin,thouhastinme,thepartnerofit!"Againshehesitated,butbroughtoutthewordswithaneffort"Thouhastlonghadsuchanenemy,anddwellestwithhim,underthesameroof!"
Theministerstartedtohisfeet,gaspingforbreath,andclutchingathisheart,asifhewouldhavetornitoutofhisbosom.
"Ha!Whatsayestthou?"criedhe.
