Алая буква
The Elf–Child and the Minister
Butthatperversity,whichallchildrenhavemoreorlessof,andofwhichlittlePearlhadatenfoldportion,now,atthemostinopportunemoment,tookthoroughpossessionofher,andclosedherlips,orimpelledhertospeakwordsamiss.Afterputtingherfingerinhermouth,withmanyungraciousrefusalstoanswergoodMr.Wilson’squestion,thechildfinallyannouncedthatshehadnotbeenmadeatall,buthadbeenpluckedbyhermotheroffthebushofwildrosesthatgrewbytheprison-door.
ThisphantasywasprobablysuggestedbythenearproximityoftheGovernor’sredroses,asPearlstoodoutsideofthewindow,togetherwithherrecollectionoftheprisonrose-bush,whichshehadpassedincominghither.
OldRogerChillingworth,withasmileonhisface,whisperedsomethingintheyoungclergyman’sear.HesterPrynnelookedatthemanofskill,andeventhen,withherfatehanginginthebalance,wasstartledtoperceivewhatachangehadcomeoverhisfeatures—howmuchugliertheywere,howhisdarkcomplexionseemedtohavegrownduskier,andhisfiguremoremisshapen—sincethedayswhenshehadfamiliarlyknownhim.Shemethiseyesforaninstant,butwasimmediatelyconstrainedtogiveallherattentiontothescenenowgoingforward.
"Thisisawful!"criedtheGovernor,slowlyrecoveringfromtheastonishmentintowhichPearl’sresponsehadthrownhim.
