Young Goodman Brown

           YoungGoodmanBrowncameforthatsunsetintothestreetatSalemvillage;butputhisheadback,aftercrossingthethreshold,toexchangeapartingkisswithhisyoungwife.AndFaith,asthewifewasaptlynamed,thrustherownprettyheadintothestreet,lettingthewindplaywiththepinkribbonsofhercapwhileshecalledtoGoodmanBrown.

           "Dearestheart,"whisperedshe,softlyandrathersadly,whenherlipswereclosetohisear,"pritheeputoffyourjourneyuntilsunriseandsleepinyourownbedto-night.Alonewomanistroubledwithsuchdreamsandsuchthoughtsthatshe’safeardofherselfsometimes.Praytarrywithmethisnight,dearhusband,ofallnightsintheyear."

           "MyloveandmyFaith,"repliedyoungGoodmanBrown,"ofallnightsintheyear,thisonenightmustItarryawayfromthee.Myjourney,asthoucallestit,forthandbackagain,mustneedsbedone’twixtnowandsunrise.What,mysweet,prettywife,dostthoudoubtmealready,andwebutthreemonthsmarried?"

           "ThenGodblessyou!"saidFaith,withthepinkribbons;"andmayyoufindallwellwhenyoucomeback."

           "Amen!"criedGoodmanBrown."Saythyprayers,dearFaith,andgotobedatdusk,andnoharmwillcometothee."

           Sotheyparted;andtheyoungmanpursuedhiswayuntil,beingabouttoturnthecornerbythemeeting-house,helookedbackandsawtheheadofFaithstillpeepingafterhimwithamelancholyair,inspiteofherpinkribbons.

           "PoorlittleFaith!"thoughthe,forhisheartsmotehim."WhatawretchamItoleaveheronsuchanerrand!Shetalksofdreams,too.