Алая буква
The Governor’s Hall
Itmayappearsingular,and,indeed,notalittleludicrous,thatanaffairofthiskind,whichinlaterdayswouldhavebeenreferredtonohigherjurisdictionthanthatoftheselectmenofthetown,shouldthenhavebeenaquestionpubliclydiscussed,andonwhichstatesmenofeminencetooksides.Atthatepochofpristinesimplicity,however,mattersofevenslighterpublicinterest,andoffarlessintrinsicweightthanthewelfareofHesterandherchild,werestrangelymixedupwiththedeliberationsoflegislatorsandactsofstate.Theperiodwashardly,ifatall,earlierthanthatofourstory,whenadisputeconcerningtherightofpropertyinapignotonlycausedafierceandbittercontestinthelegislativebodyofthecolony,butresultedinanimportantmodificationoftheframeworkitselfofthelegislature.
Fullofconcern,therefore—butsoconsciousofherownrightthatitseemedscarcelyanunequalmatchbetweenthepublicontheoneside,andalonelywoman,backedbythesympathiesofnature,ontheother—HesterPrynnesetforthfromhersolitarycottage.LittlePearl,ofcourse,washercompanion.Shewasnowofanagetorunlightlyalongbyhermother’sside,and,constantlyinmotionfrommorntillsunset,couldhaveaccomplishedamuchlongerjourneythanthatbeforeher.Often,nevertheless,morefromcapricethannecessity,shedemandedtobetakenupinarms;butwassoonasimperioustobeletdownagain,andfriskedonwardbeforeHesteronthegrassypathway,withmanyaharmlesstripandtumble.
