Червона літера
The Elf–Child and the Minister
"Nay,wemighthavejudgedthatsuchachild’smothermustneedsbeascarletwoman,andaworthytypeofherofBabylon!Butshecomesatagoodtime,andwewilllookintothismatterforthwith."
GovernorBellinghamsteppedthroughthewindowintothehall,followedbyhisthreeguests.
"HesterPrynne,"saidhe,fixinghisnaturallysternregardonthewearerofthescarletletter,"therehathbeenmuchquestionconcerningtheeoflate.Thepointhathbeenweightilydiscussed,whetherwe,thatareofauthorityandinfluence,dowelldischargeourconsciencesbytrustinganimmortalsoul,suchasthereisinyonderchild,totheguidanceofonewhohathstumbledandfallenamidthepitfallsofthisworld.Speakthou,thechild’sownmother!Wereitnot,thinkestthou,forthylittleone’stemporalandeternalwelfarethatshebetakenoutofthycharge,andcladsoberly,anddisciplinedstrictly,andinstructedinthetruthsofheavenandearth?Whatcanstthoudoforthechildinthiskind?"
"IcanteachmylittlePearlwhatIhavelearnedfromthis!"answeredHesterPrynne,layingherfingerontheredtoken.
"Woman,itisthybadgeofshame!"repliedthesternmagistrate."Itisbecauseofthestainwhichthatletterindicatesthatwewouldtransferthychildtootherhands."
"Nevertheless,"saidthemother,calmly,thoughgrowingmorepale,"thisbadgehathtaughtme—itdailyteachesme—itisteachingmeatthismoment—lessonswhereofmychildmaybethewiserandbetter,albeittheycanprofitnothingtomyself."
