Червона літера
Hester and Pearl
IflittlePearlwereentertainedwithfaithandtrust,asaspiritmessengernolessthananearthlychild,mightitnotbehererrandtosootheawaythesorrowthatlaycoldinhermother’sheart,andconverteditintoatomb?—andtohelphertoovercomethepassion,oncesowild,andevenyetneitherdeadnorasleep,butonlyimprisonedwithinthesametomb-likeheart?
SuchweresomeofthethoughtsthatnowstirredinHester’smind,withasmuchvivacityofimpressionasiftheyhadactuallybeenwhisperedintoherear.AndtherewaslittlePearl,allthiswhile,holdinghermother’shandinbothherown,andturningherfaceupward,whilesheputthesesearchingquestions,onceandagain,andstillathirdtime.
"Whatdoesthelettermean,mother?andwhydostthouwearit?andwhydoestheministerkeephishandoverhisheart?"
"WhatshallIsay?"thoughtHestertoherself."No!ifthisbethepriceofthechild’ssympathy,Icannotpayit."
Thenshespokealoud—
"SillyPearl,"saidshe,"whatquestionsarethese?Therearemanythingsinthisworldthatachildmustnotaskabout.WhatknowIoftheminister’sheart?Andasforthescarletletter,Iwearitforthesakeofitsgoldthread."
Inallthesevenbygoneyears,HesterPrynnehadneverbeforebeenfalsetothesymbolonherbosom
