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The Governor’s Hall
But,intruth,Pearlwastheoneaswellastheother;andonlyinconsequenceofthatidentityhadHestercontrivedsoperfectlytorepresentthescarletletterinherappearance.
Asthetwowayfarerscamewithintheprecinctsofthetown,thechildrenofthePuritanslookedupfromtheirplayerwhatpassedforplaywiththosesombrelittleurchins—andspokegravelyonetoanother
"Behold,verily,thereisthewomanofthescarletletter:andofatruth,moreover,thereisthelikenessofthescarletletterrunningalongbyherside!Come,therefore,andletusflingmudatthem!"
ButPearl,whowasadauntlesschild,afterfrowning,stampingherfoot,andshakingherlittlehandwithavarietyofthreateninggestures,suddenlymadearushattheknotofherenemies,andputthemalltoflight.Sheresembled,inherfiercepursuitofthem,aninfantpestilence—thescarletfever,orsomesuchhalf-fledgedangelofjudgment—whosemissionwastopunishthesinsoftherisinggeneration.Shescreamedandshouted,too,withaterrificvolumeofsound,which,doubtless,causedtheheartsofthefugitivestoquakewithinthem.Thevictoryaccomplished,Pearlreturnedquietlytohermother,andlookedup,smiling,intoherface.Withoutfurtheradventure,theyreachedthedwellingofGovernorBellingham.
