Hester and Pearl

           SoRogerChillingworth—adeformedoldfigurewithafacethathauntedmen’smemorieslongerthantheyliked—tookleaveofHesterPrynne,andwentstoopingawayalongtheearth.Hegatheredhereandthereaherb,orgrubbeduparootandputitintothebasketonhisarm.Hisgraybeardalmosttouchedthegroundashecreptonward.Hestergazedafterhimalittlewhile,lookingwithahalffantasticcuriositytoseewhetherthetendergrassofearlyspringwouldnotbeblightedbeneathhimandshowthewaveringtrackofhisfootsteps,sereandbrown,acrossitscheerfulverdure.Shewonderedwhatsortofherbstheywerewhichtheoldmanwassoseduloustogather.