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The Child at the Brookside
Shehadflungitintoinfinitespace!shehaddrawnanhour’sfreebreath!andhereagainwasthescarletmiseryglitteringontheoldspot!Soiteveris,whetherthustypifiedorno,thatanevildeedinvestsitselfwiththecharacterofdoom.Hesternextgathereduptheheavytressesofherhairandconfinedthembeneathhercap.Asiftherewereawitheringspellinthesadletter,herbeauty,thewarmthandrichnessofherwomanhood,departedlikefadingsunshine,andagrayshadowseemedtofallacrossher.
Whenthedrearychangewaswrought,sheextendedherhandtoPearl.
"Dostthouknowthymothernow,child?",askedshe,reproachfully,butwithasubduedtone."Wiltthoucomeacrossthebrook,andownthymother,nowthatshehashershameuponher—nowthatsheissad?"
"Yes;nowIwill!"answeredthechild,boundingacrossthebrook,andclaspingHesterinherarms"Nowthouartmymotherindeed!andIamthylittlePearl!"
Inamoodoftendernessthatwasnotusualwithher,shedrewdownhermother’shead,andkissedherbrowandbothhercheeks.Butthen—byakindofnecessitythatalwaysimpelledthischildtoalloywhatevercomfortshemightchancetogivewithathrobofanguish—Pearlputuphermouthandkissedthescarletletter,too
"Thatwasnotkind!"saidHester."Whenthouhastshownmealittlelove,thoumockestme!"
"Whydoththeministersityonder?"askedPearl.
"Hewaitstowelcomethee,"repliedhermother.
