Алая буква
The Leech
Theelders,thedeacons,themotherlydames,andtheyoungandfairmaidensofMr.Dimmesdale’sflock,werealikeimportunatethatheshouldmaketrialofthephysician’sfranklyofferedskill.Mr.Dimmesdalegentlyrepelledtheirentreaties.
"Ineednomedicine,"saidhe.
Buthowcouldtheyoungministersayso,when,witheverysuccessiveSabbath,hischeekwaspalerandthinner,andhisvoicemoretremulousthanbefore—whenithadnowbecomeaconstanthabit,ratherthanacasualgesture,topresshishandoverhisheart?Washewearyofhislabours?Didhewishtodie?ThesequestionsweresolemnlypropoundedtoMr.DimmesdalebytheelderministersofBoston,andthedeaconsofhischurch,who,tousetheirownphrase,"dealtwithhim,"onthesinofrejectingtheaidwhichProvidencesomanifestlyheldout.Helistenedinsilence,andfinallypromisedtoconferwiththephysician.
"WereitGod’swill,"saidtheReverendMr.Dimmesdale,when,infulfilmentofthispledge,herequestedoldRogerChillingworth’sprofessionaladvice,"Icouldbewellcontentthatmylabours,andmysorrows,andmysins,andmypains,shouldshortlyendwithme,andwhatisearthlyofthembeburiedinmygrave,andthespiritualgowithmetomyeternalstate,ratherthanthatyoushouldputyourskilltotheproofinmybehalf."
"Ah,"repliedRogerChillingworth,withthatquietness,which,whetherimposedornatural,markedallhisdeportment,"itisthusthatayoungclergymanisapttospeak.
