Алая буква
The Minister in a Maze
WillnotmyaidberequisitetoputyouinheartandstrengthtopreachyourElectionSermon?"
"Nay,Ithinknotso,"rejoinedtheReverendMr.Dimmesdale."Myjourney,andthesightoftheholyApostleyonder,andthefreeairwhichIhavebreathedhavedonemegood,aftersolongconfinementinmystudy.Ithinktoneednomoreofyourdrugs,mykindphysician,goodthoughtheybe,andadministeredbyafriendlyhand."
AllthistimeRogerChillingworthwaslookingattheministerwiththegraveandintentregardofaphysiciantowardshispatient.But,inspiteofthisoutwardshow,thelatterwasalmostconvincedoftheoldman’sknowledge,or,atleast,hisconfidentsuspicion,withrespecttohisowninterviewwithHesterPrynne.Thephysicianknewthenthatintheminister’sregardhewasnolongeratrustedfriend,buthisbitterestenemy.Somuchbeingknown,itwouldappearnaturalthatapartofitshouldheexpressed.Itissingular,however,howlongatimeoftenpassesbeforewordsembodythings;andwithwhatsecuritytwopersons,whochoosetoavoidacertainsubject,mayapproachitsveryverge,andretirewithoutdisturbingit.ThustheministerfeltnoapprehensionthatRogerChillingworthwouldtouch,inexpresswords,upontherealpositionwhichtheysustainedtowardsoneanother.Yetdidthephysician,inhisdarkway,creepfrightfullynearthesecret.
"Wereitnotbetter,"saidhe,"thatyouusemypoorskilltonight?Verily,dearsir,wemusttakepainstomakeyoustrongandvigorousforthisoccasionoftheElectiondiscourse.
