Червона літера
A Forest Walk
Isittrue,mother?Anddostthougotomeethiminthenighttime?"
"Didstthoueverawakeandfindthymothergone?"askedHester."NotthatIremember,"saidthechild."Ifthoufearesttoleavemeinourcottage,thoumightesttakemealongwiththee.Iwouldverygladlygo!But,mother,tellmenow!IstheresuchaBlackMan?Anddidstthouevermeethim?Andisthishismark?"
"Wiltthouletmebeatpeace,ifIoncetellthee?"askedhermother.
"Yes,ifthoutellestmeall,"answeredPearl.
"OnceinmylifeImettheBlackMan!"saidhermother.Thisscarletletterishismark!"
Thusconversing,theyenteredsufficientlydeepintothewoodtosecurethemselvesfromtheobservationofanycasualpassengeralongtheforesttrack.Heretheysatdownonaluxuriantheapofmoss;whichatsomeepochoftheprecedingcentury,hadbeenagiganticpine,withitsrootsandtrunkinthedarksomeshade,anditsheadaloftintheupperatmosphereItwasalittledellwheretheyhadseatedthemselves,withaleaf-strewnbankrisinggentlyoneitherside,andabrookflowingthroughthemidst,overabedoffallenanddrownedleaves.Thetreesimpendingoverithadflungdowngreatbranchesfromtimetotime,whichchokedupthecurrent,andcompelledittoformeddiesandblackdepthsatsomepoints;while,initsswifterandlivelierpassagesthereappearedachannel-wayofpebbles,andbrown,sparklingsand.
