Червона літера
The Child at the Brookside
Sincethelatterrambledfromherside,anotherinmatehadbeenadmittedwithinthecircleofthemother’sfeelings,andsomodifiedtheaspectofthemall,thatPearl,thereturningwanderer,couldnotfindherwontedplace,andhardlyknewwhereshewas.
"Ihaveastrangefancy,"observedthesensitiveminister,"thatthisbrookistheboundarybetweentwoworlds,andthatthoucanstnevermeetthyPearlagain.Orissheanelfishspirit,who,asthelegendsofourchildhoodtaughtus,isforbiddentocrossarunningstream?Prayhastenher,forthisdelayhasalreadyimpartedatremortomynerves."
"Come,dearestchild!"saidHesterencouragingly,andstretchingoutbothherarms."Howslowthouart!Whenhastthoubeensosluggishbeforenow?Hereisafriendofmine,whomustbethyfriendalso.Thouwilthavetwiceasmuchlovehenceforwardasthymotheralonecouldgivethee!Leapacrossthebrookandcometous.Thoucanstleaplikeayoungdeer!"
Pearl,withoutrespondinginanymannertothesehoney-sweetexpressions,remainedontheothersideofthebrook.Nowshefixedherbrightwildeyesonhermother,nowontheminister,andnowincludedthembothinthesameglance,asiftodetectandexplaintoherselftherelationwhichtheyboretooneanother.Forsomeunaccountablereason,asArthurDimmesdalefeltthechild’seyesuponhimself,hishand—withthatgesturesohabitualastohavebecomeinvoluntary—stoleoverhisheart.
