Алая буква
The Governor’s Hall
LittlePearl,whowasasgreatlypleasedwiththegleamingarmourasshehadbeenwiththeglitteringfrontispieceofthehouse,spentsometimelookingintothepolishedmirrorofthebreastplate.
"Mother,"criedshe,"Iseeyouhere.Look!look!"
Hesterlookedbywayofhumouringthechild;andshesawthat,owingtothepeculiareffectofthisconvexmirror,thescarletletterwasrepresentedinexaggeratedandgiganticproportions,soastobegreatlythemostprominentfeatureofherappearance.Intruth,sheseemedabsolutelyhiddenbehindit.Pearlpointedupwardsalso,atasimilarpictureinthehead-piece;smilingathermother,withtheelfishintelligencethatwassofamiliaranexpressiononhersmallphysiognomy.Thatlookofnaughtymerrimentwaslikewisereflectedinthemirror,withsomuchbreadthandintensityofeffect,thatitmadeHesterPrynnefeelasifitcouldnotbetheimageofherownchild,butofanimpwhowasseekingtomoulditselfintoPearl’sshape.
"Comealong,Pearl,"saidshe,drawingheraway,"Comeandlookintothisfairgarden.Itmaybeweshallseeflowersthere;morebeautifulonesthanwefindinthewoods."
Pearlaccordinglyrantothebow-window,atthefurtherendofthehall,andlookedalongthevistaofagardenwalk,carpetedwithclosely-shavengrass,andborderedwithsomerudeandimmatureattemptatshrubbery
