Алая буква
The Elf–Child and the Minister
Andmayshefeel,too—what,methinks,istheverytruth—thatthisboonwasmeant,aboveallthingselse,tokeepthemother’ssoulalive,andtopreserveherfromblackerdepthsofsinintowhichSatanmightelsehavesoughttoplungeher!Thereforeitisgoodforthispoor,sinfulwoman,thatshehathaninfantimmortality,abeingcapableofeternaljoyorsorrow,confidedtohercare—tobetrainedupbyhertorighteousness,toremindher,ateverymoment,ofherfall,butyettoteachher,asifitwerebytheCreator’ssacredpledge,that,ifshebringthechildtoheaven,thechildalsowillbringitsparentsthither!Hereinisthesinfulmotherhappierthanthesinfulfather.ForHesterPrynne’ssake,then,andnolessforthepoorchild’ssake,letusleavethemasProvidencehathseenfittoplacethem!"
"Youspeak,myfriend,withastrangeearnestness,"saidoldRogerChillingworth,smilingathim.
"Andthereisaweightyimportinwhatmyyoungbrotherhathspoken,"addedtheRev.Mr.Wilson.
"Whatsayyou,worshipfulMasterBellingham?Hathhenotpleadedwellforthepoorwoman?"
"Indeedhathhe,"answeredthemagistrate;"andhathadducedsucharguments,thatwewillevenleavethematterasitnowstands;solong,atleast,asthereshallbenofurtherscandalinthewoman.Caremustbehadnevertheless,toputthechildtodueandstatedexaminationinthecatechism,atthyhandsorMasterDimmesdale’s.Moreover,ataproperseason,thetithing-menmusttakeheedthatshegobothtoschoolandtomeeting."
