Алая буква
The Interview
Thejailer,afterusheringhimintotheroom,remainedamoment,marvellingatthecomparativequietthatfollowedhisentrance;forHesterPrynnehadimmediatelybecomeasstillasdeath,althoughthechildcontinuedtomoan.
"Prithee,friend,leavemealonewithmypatient,"saidthepractitioner."Trustme,goodjailer,youshallbrieflyhavepeaceinyourhouse;and,Ipromiseyou,MistressPrynneshallhereafterbemoreamenabletojustauthoritythanyoumayhavefoundherheretofore."
"Nay,ifyourworshipcanaccomplishthat,"answeredMasterBrackett,"Ishallownyouforamanofskill,indeed!Verily,thewomanhathbeenlikeapossessedone;andtherelackslittlethatIshouldtakeinhand,todriveSatanoutofherwithstripes."
Thestrangerhadenteredtheroomwiththecharacteristicquietudeoftheprofessiontowhichheannouncedhimselfasbelonging.Nordidhisdemeanourchangewhenthewithdrawaloftheprisonkeeperlefthimfacetofacewiththewoman,whoseabsorbednoticeofhim,inthecrowd,hadintimatedsoclosearelationbetweenhimselfandher.Hisfirstcarewasgiventothechild,whosecries,indeed,asshelaywrithingonthetrundle-bed,madeitofperemptorynecessitytopostponeallotherbusinesstothetaskofsoothingher.Heexaminedtheinfantcarefully,andthenproceededtounclaspaleatherncase,whichhetookfrombeneathhisdress.Itappearedtocontainmedicalpreparations,oneofwhichhemingledwithacupofwater.
