Червона літера
The Minister’s Vigil
Allpeople,inaword,wouldcomestumblingovertheirthresholds,andturninguptheiramazedandhorror-strickenvisagesaroundthescaffold.Whomwouldtheydiscernthere,withtheredeasternlightuponhisbrow?Whom,buttheReverendArthurDimmesdale,half-frozentodeath,overwhelmedwithshame,andstandingwhereHesterPrynnehadstood!
Carriedawaybythegrotesquehorrorofthispicture,theminister,unawares,andtohisowninfinitealarm,burstintoagreatpealoflaughter.Itwasimmediatelyrespondedtobyalight,airy,childishlaugh,inwhich,withathrilloftheheart—butheknewnotwhetherofexquisitepain,orpleasureasacute—herecognisedthetonesoflittlePearl.
"Pearl!LittlePearl!"criedhe,afteramoment’spause;then,suppressinghisvoice—"Hester!HesterPrynne!Areyouthere?"
"Yes;itisHesterPrynne!"shereplied,inatoneofsurprise;andtheministerheardherfootstepsapproachingfromtheside-walk,alongwhichshehadbeenpassing."ItisI,andmylittlePearl."
"Whencecomeyou,Hester?"askedtheminister."Whatsentyouhither?"
"Ihavebeenwatchingatadeath-bed,"answeredHesterPrynne"atGovernorWinthrop’sdeath-bed,andhavetakenhismeasureforarobe,andamnowgoinghomewardtomydwelling."
"Comeuphither,Hester,thouandLittlePearl,"saidtheReverendMr.Dimmesdale."Yehavebothbeenherebefore,butIwasnotwithyou.Comeuphitheronceagain,andwewillstandallthreetogether."
