Алая буква
The Leech
Bythosebestacquaintedwithhishabits,thepalenessoftheyoungminister’scheekwasaccountedforbyhistooearnestdevotiontostudy,hisscrupulousfulfilmentofparochialduty,andmorethanall,tothefastsandvigilsofwhichhemadeafrequentpractice,inordertokeepthegrossnessofthisearthlystatefromcloggingandobscuringhisspirituallamp.Somedeclared,thatifMr.Dimmesdalewerereallygoingtodie,itwascauseenoughthattheworldwasnotworthytobeanylongertroddenbyhisfeet.Hehimself,ontheotherhand,withcharacteristichumility,avowedhisbeliefthatifProvidenceshouldseefittoremovehim,itwouldbebecauseofhisownunworthinesstoperformitshumblestmissionhereonearth.Withallthisdifferenceofopinionastothecauseofhisdecline,therecouldbenoquestionofthefact.Hisformgrewemaciated;hisvoice,thoughstillrichandsweet,hadacertainmelancholyprophecyofdecayinit;hewasoftenobserved,onanyslightalarmorothersuddenaccident,toputhishandoverhisheartwithfirstaflushandthenapaleness,indicativeofpain.
Suchwastheyoungclergyman’scondition,andsoimminenttheprospectthathisdawninglightwouldbeextinguished,alluntimely,whenRogerChillingworthmadehisadventtothetown.Hisfirstentryonthescene,fewpeoplecouldtellwhence,droppingdownasitwereoutoftheskyorstartingfromthenetherearth,hadanaspectofmystery,whichwaseasilyheightenedtothemiraculous.
