Алая буква
The Interview
"Myoldstudiesinalchemy,"observedhe,"andmysojourn,foraboveayearpast,amongapeoplewellversedinthekindlypropertiesofsimples,havemadeabetterphysicianofmethanmanythatclaimthemedicaldegree.Here,woman!Thechildisyours—sheisnoneofmine—neitherwillsherecognisemyvoiceoraspectasafather’s.Administerthisdraught,therefore,withthineownhand."
Hesterrepelledtheofferedmedicine,atthesametimegazingwithstronglymarkedapprehensionintohisface."Wouldstthouavengethyselfontheinnocentbabe?"whisperedshe.
"Foolishwoman!"respondedthephysician,halfcoldly,halfsoothingly."Whatshouldailmetoharmthismisbegottenandmiserablebabe?Themedicineispotentforgood,andwereitmychild—yea,mineown,aswellasthine!Icoulddonobetterforit."
Asshestillhesitated,being,infact,innoreasonablestateofmind,hetooktheinfantinhisarms,andhimselfadministeredthedraught.Itsoonproveditsefficacy,andredeemedtheleech’spledge.Themoansofthelittlepatientsubsided;itsconvulsivetossingsgraduallyceased;andinafewmoments,asisthecustomofyoungchildrenafterrelieffrompain,itsankintoaprofoundanddewyslumber.Thephysician,ashehadafairrighttobetermed,nextbestowedhisattentiononthemother.
