Червона літера
Hester and Pearl
Itmaybethatitwasthetalismanofasternandsevere,butyetaguardianspirit,whonowforsookher;asrecognisingthat,inspiteofhisstrictwatchoverherheart,somenewevilhadcreptintoit,orsomeoldonehadneverbeenexpelled.AsforlittlePearl,theearnestnesssoonpassedoutofherface.
Butthechilddidnotseefittoletthematterdrop.Twoorthreetimes,ashermotherandshewenthomeward,andasoftenatsupper-time,andwhileHesterwasputtinghertobed,andonceaftersheseemedtobefairlyasleep,Pearllookedup,withmischiefgleaminginherblackeyes.
"Mother,"saidshe,"whatdoesthescarletlettermean?"
Andthenextmorning,thefirstindicationthechildgaveofbeingawakewasbypoppingupherheadfromthepillow,andmakingthatotherenquiry,whichshehadsounaccountablyconnectedwithherinvestigationsaboutthescarletletter—
"Mother!—Mother!—Whydoestheministerkeephishandoverhisheart?"
"Holdthytongue,naughtychild!"answeredhermother,withanasperitythatshehadneverpermittedtoherselfbefore."Donotteaseme;elseIshallputtheeintothedarkcloset!"
