Алая буква
The New England Holiday
ThusthePuritaneldersintheirblackcloaks,starchedbands,andsteeple-crownedhats,smilednotunbenignantlyattheclamourandrudedeportmentofthesejollyseafaringmen;anditexcitedneithersurprisenoranimadversionwhensoreputableacitizenasoldRogerChillingworth,thephysician,wasseentoenterthemarket-placeincloseandfamiliartalkwiththecommanderofthequestionablevessel.
Thelatterwasbyfarthemostshowyandgallantfigure,sofarasapparelwent,anywheretobeseenamongthemultitude.Heworeaprofusionofribbonsonhisgarment,andgoldlaceonhishat,whichwasalsoencircledbyagoldchain,andsurmountedwithafeather.Therewasaswordathissideandasword-cutonhisforehead,which,bythearrangementofhishair,heseemedanxiousrathertodisplaythanhide.Alandsmancouldhardlyhavewornthisgarbandshownthisface,andwornandshownthembothwithsuchagalliardair,withoutundergoingsternquestionbeforeamagistrate,andprobablyincurringafineorimprisonment,orperhapsanexhibitioninthestocks.Asregardedtheshipmaster,however,allwaslookeduponaspertainingtothecharacter,astoafishhisglisteningscales.
Afterpartingfromthephysician,thecommanderoftheBristolshipstrolledidlythroughthemarket-place;untilhappeningtoapproachthespotwhereHesterPrynnewasstanding,heappearedtorecognise,anddidnothesitatetoaddressher.
