Алая буква
The Procession
"DostthouthinkIhavebeentotheforestsomanytimes,andhaveyetnoskilltojudgewhoelsehasbeenthere?Yea,thoughnoleafofthewildgarlandswhichtheyworewhiletheydancedbeleftintheirhair!Iknowthee,Hester,forIbeholdthetoken.Wemayallseeitinthesunshine!anditglowslikearedflameinthedark.Thouwearestitopenly,sothereneedbenoquestionaboutthat.Butthisminister!Letmetelltheeinthineear!WhentheBlackManseesoneofhisownservants,signedandsealed,soshyofowningtothebondasistheReverendMr.Dimmesdale,hehathawayoforderingmatterssothatthemarkshallbedisclosed,inopendaylight,totheeyesofalltheworld!Whatisthattheministerseekstohide,withhishandalwaysoverhisheart?Ha,HesterPrynne?"
"Whatisit,goodMistressHibbins?"eagerlyaskedlittlePearl."Hastthouseenit?"
"Nomatter,darling!"respondedMistressHibbins,makingPearlaprofoundreverence."Thouthyselfwiltseeit,onetimeoranother.Theysay,child,thouartofthelineageofthePrinceofAir!Wiltthouridewithmesomefinenighttoseethyfather?Thenthoushaltknowwhereforetheministerkeepshishandoverhisheart!"
Laughingsoshrillythatallthemarket-placecouldhearher,theweirdoldgentlewomantookherdeparture.
Bythistimethepreliminaryprayerhadbeenofferedinthemeeting-house,andtheaccentsoftheReverendMr.Dimmesdalewereheardcommencinghisdiscourse.AnirresistiblefeelingkeptHesternearthespot.
