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The Minister in a Maze
Nottospeakoftheclergyman’shealth,soinadequatetosustainthehardshipsofaforestlife,hisnativegifts,hisculture,andhisentiredevelopmentwouldsecurehimahomeonlyinthemidstofcivilizationandrefinement;thehigherthestatethemoredelicatelyadaptedtoittheman.Infutheranceofthischoice,itsohappenedthatashiplayintheharbour;oneofthoseunquestionablecruisers,frequentatthatday,which,withoutbeingabsolutelyoutlawsofthedeep,yetroamedoveritssurfacewitharemarkableirresponsibilityofcharacter.ThisvesselhadrecentlyarrivedfromtheSpanishMain,andwithinthreedays’timewouldsailforBristol.HesterPrynne—whosevocation,asaself-enlistedSisterofCharity,hadbroughtheracquaintedwiththecaptainandcrew—couldtakeuponherselftosecurethepassageoftwoindividualsandachildwithallthesecrecywhichcircumstancesrenderedmorethandesirable.
TheministerhadinquiredofHester,withnolittleinterest,theprecisetimeatwhichthevesselmightbeexpectedtodepart.Itwouldprobablybeonthefourthdayfromthepresent."Thisismostfortunate!"hehadthensaidtohimself.Now,whytheReverendMr.Dimmesdaleconsidereditsoveryfortunatewehesitatetoreveal.
