Алая буква
The Elf–Child and the Minister
"Wewilljudgewarily,"saidBellingham,"andlookwellwhatweareabouttodo.GoodMasterWilson,Iprayyou,examinethisPearl—sincethatishername—andseewhethershehathhadsuchChristiannurtureasbefitsachildofherage."
Theoldministerseatedhimselfinanarm-chairandmadeanefforttodrawPearlbetwixthisknees.Butthechild,unaccustomedtothetouchorfamiliarityofanybuthermother,escapedthroughtheopenwindow,andstoodontheupperstep,lookinglikeawildtropicalbirdofrichplumage,readytotakeflightintotheupperair.Mr.Wilson,notalittleastonishedatthisoutbreak—forhewasagrandfatherlysortofpersonage,andusuallyavastfavouritewithchildren—essayed,however,toproceedwiththeexamination.
"Pearl,"saidhe,withgreatsolemnity,"thoumusttakeheedtoinstruction,thatso,indueseason,thoumayestwearinthybosomthepearlofgreatprice.Canstthoutellme,mychild,whomadethee?"
NowPearlknewwellenoughwhomadeher,forHesterPrynne,thedaughterofapioushome,verysoonafterhertalkwiththechildaboutherHeavenlyFather,hadbeguntoinformherofthosetruthswhichthehumanspirit,atwhateverstageofimmaturity,imbibeswithsucheagerinterest.Pearl,therefore—solargeweretheattainmentsofherthreeyears’lifetime—couldhaveborneafairexaminationintheNewEnglandPrimer,orthefirstcolumnoftheWestminsterCatechisms,althoughunacquaintedwiththeoutwardformofeitherofthosecelebratedworks.
