Алая буква
The Market–Place
Thewomenwhowerenowstandingabouttheprison-doorstoodwithinlessthanhalfacenturyoftheperiodwhentheman-likeElizabethhadbeenthenotaltogetherunsuitablerepresentativeofthesex.Theywerehercountrywomen:andthebeefandaleoftheirnativeland,withamoraldietnotawhitmorerefined,enteredlargelyintotheircomposition.Thebrightmorningsun,therefore,shoneonbroadshouldersandwell-developedbusts,andonroundandruddycheeks,thathadripenedinthefar-offisland,andhadhardlyyetgrownpalerorthinnerintheatmosphereofNewEngland.Therewas,moreover,aboldnessandrotundityofspeechamongthesematrons,asmostofthemseemedtobe,thatwouldstartleusatthepresentday,whetherinrespecttoitspurportoritsvolumeoftone.
"Goodwives,"saidahard-featureddameoffifty,"I’lltellyeapieceofmymind.Itwouldbegreatlyforthepublicbehoofifwewomen,beingofmatureageandchurch-membersingoodrepute,shouldhavethehandlingofsuchmalefactressesasthisHesterPrynne.Whatthinkye,gossips?Ifthehussystoodupforjudgmentbeforeusfive,thatarenowhereinaknottogether,wouldshecomeoffwithsuchasentenceastheworshipfulmagistrateshaveawarded?Marry,Itrownot"
"Peoplesay,"saidanother,"thattheReverendMasterDimmesdale,hergodlypastor,takesitverygrievouslytoheartthatsuchascandalshouldhavecomeuponhiscongregation."
"ThemagistratesareGod-fearinggentlemen,butmercifulovermuch—thatisatruth,"addedathirdautumnalmatron.
