Алая буква
The Procession
Oneoftheseseafaringmentheshipmaster,indeed,whohadspokentoHesterPrynnewassosmittenwithPearl’saspect,thatheattemptedtolayhandsuponher,withpurposetosnatchakiss.Findingitasimpossibletotouchherastocatchahumming-birdintheair,hetookfromhishatthegoldchainthatwastwistedaboutit,andthrewittothechild.Pearlimmediatelytwineditaroundherneckandwaistwithsuchhappyskill,that,onceseenthere,itbecameapartofher,anditwasdifficulttoimagineherwithoutit.
"Thymotherisyonderwomanwiththescarletletter,"saidtheseaman,"Wiltthoucarryheramessagefromme?"
"Ifthemessagepleasesme,Iwill,"answeredPearl.
"Thentellher,"rejoinedhe,"thatIspakeagainwiththeblack-a-visaged,humpshoulderedolddoctor,andheengagestobringhisfriend,thegentlemanshewotsof,aboardwithhim.Soletthymothertakenothought,saveforherselfandthee.Wiltthoutellherthis,thouwitch-baby?"
"MistressHibbinssaysmyfatheristhePrinceoftheAir!"criedPearl,withanaughtysmile."Ifthoucallestmethatill-name,Ishalltellhimofthee,andhewillchasethyshipwithatempest!"
Pursuingazigzagcourseacrossthemarketplace,thechildreturnedtohermother,andcommunicatedwhatthemarinerhadsaid.
