Червона літера
The Child at the Brookside
Pacifyherifthoulovestme!"
HesterturnedagaintowardsPearlwithacrimsonblushuponhercheek,aconsciousglanceasideclergyman,andthenaheavysigh,while,evenbeforeshehadtimetospeak,theblushyieldedtoadeadlypallor.
"Pearl,"saidshesadly,"lookdownatthyfeet!There!—beforethee!—onthehithersideofthebrook!"
Thechildturnedhereyestothepointindicated,andtherelaythescarletlettersocloseuponthemarginofthestreamthatthegoldembroiderywasreflectedinit.
"Bringithither!"saidHester.
"Comethouandtakeitup!"answeredPearl.
"Waseversuchachild!"observedHesterasidetotheminister."Oh,Ihavemuchtotelltheeabouther!But,inverytruth,sheisrightasregardsthishatefultoken.Imustbearitstortureyetalittlelonger—onlyafewdayslonger—untilweshallhaveleftthisregion,andlookbackhitherastoalandwhichwehavedreamedof.Theforestcannothideit!Themid-oceanshalltakeitfrommyhand,andswallowitupforever!"
Withthesewordssheadvancedtothemarginofthebrook,tookupthescarletletter,andfasteneditagainintoherbosom.Hopefully,butamomentago,asHesterhadspokenofdrowningitinthedeepsea,therewasasenseofinevitabledoomuponherasshethusreceivedbackthisdeadlysymbolfromthehandoffate.
