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The Child at the Brookside
Betheforegoneevilwhatitmight,howcouldtheydoubtthattheirearthlylivesandfuturedestinieswereconjoinedwhentheybeheldatoncethematerialunion,andthespiritualidea,inwhomtheymet,andweretodwellimmortallytogether;thoughtslikethese—andperhapsotherthoughts,whichtheydidnotacknowledgeordefine—threwanaweaboutthechildasshecameonward.
"Letherseenothingstrange—nopassionoreagerness—inthywayofaccostingher,"whisperedHester."OurPearlisafitfulandfantasticlittleelfsometimes.Especiallysheisgenerallyintolerantofemotion,whenshedoesnotfullycomprehendthewhyandwherefore.Butthechildhathstrongaffections!Shelovesme,andwilllovethee!"
"Thoucanstnotthink,"saidtheminister,glancingasideatHesterPrynne,"howmyheartdreadsthisinterview,andyearnsforit!But,intruth,asIalreadytoldthee,childrenarenotreadilywontobefamiliarwithme.Theywillnotclimbmyknee,norprattleinmyear,noranswertomysmile,butstandapart,andeyemestrangely.Evenlittlebabes,whenItaketheminmyarms,weepbitterly.YetPearl,twiceinherlittlelifetime,hathbeenkindtome!Thefirsttime—thouknowestitwell!ThelastwaswhenthouledstherwiththeetothehouseofyondersternoldGovernor."
"Andthoudidstpleadsobravelyinherbehalfandmine!"answeredthemother."Irememberit;andsoshalllittlePearl.Fearnothing.
