说明家乡15 scarlet letter红字

SCARLETSalem,SCARLETSalem,myhomeSalem,myhometown,isaquietplace,andnotmanyshipscallattheporthere,thoughinthelastcentury,beforethewarwithBritain,theportwasoftenbusy.NowtheshipsgodownthecoasttothegreatseaportsofBostonorNewYork,andgrassgrowsinthestreetsaroundtheoldportbuildingsinForafewyears,whenIwasayoungman,IworkedintheportofficesofSalem.Mostofthetime,therewasverylittleworktodo,andonedayin1849Iwaslookingthroughanoldwoodenboxinoneofthedusty,unusedroomsofthebuilding.Itwasfullofpapersaboutlong-forgottenships,butthensomethingredcaughtmyeye.Itookitoutandsawthatitwasapieceofredmaterial,intheshapeofaletterabouttencentimetreslong.ItwasthecapitalletterA.Itwasawonderfulpieceofneedlework,withpatternsofgoldthreadaroundtheletter,butthematerialwasnowwornthinwithage.1849年的一天，我在一间布满灰尘、已经废弃不用的房间里查看一个旧木匣子。匣子中10厘米长，那是个大写的Itwasastrangethingtofind.Whatcoulditmean?Wasitoncepartsomefashionablelady'sdresslongyearsago?Perhapsamarktoshowthatthewearerwasafamousperson,orsomeoneofgoodfamilyorgreatIhelditinmyhands,wondering,anditseemedtomethatthescarletletterhadsomedeepmeaning,whichIcouldnotunderstand.ThenIheldthelettertomychestand—youmustnotdoubtmywords—experiencedastrangefeelingofburningheat.Suddenlytheletterseemedtobenotredmaterial,butred-hotmetal.Itrembled,andlettheletterfalluponthefloor.ThenIsawthattherewasanoldpacketofpapersnexttoitsplaceinbox.Iopenedthepacketcarefullyandbegantoread.Therewereseveralpapers,explainingthehistoryofthescarletletter,andcontainingmanydetailsofthedetailsofthelifeandexperiencesofawomancalledHesterPrynne.Shehaddiedlongago,sometimeinthe1690s,butmanypeopleinthestateofMassachusettsatthattimehadknownhernameandstory.了这捆文件读起来。其中的几张纸介绍了红字的历史，包括了一个名叫赫斯特·普林的女人的生平和经历的很多细节。她早已去世，大约是17世纪90年代的事了，但是在当时的马萨AnditisHesterPrynne'sstorythatItellyounow.ItisastoryoftheearlyyearsofBoston,soonaftertheCityFathershadbuiltwiththeirownhandsthefirstwoodenbuildings—thehouses,thechurches...andtheprison.1．HesterPrynne's1．赫斯特·OnthatJunemorning,inthemiddleyearsoftheseventeenthcentury,theprisoninBostonwasstillanewbuilding.Butitalreadylookedold,andwasadark,uglyplace,surroundedbyroughgrass.Theonlythingofbeautywasawildrosegrowingbythedoor,anditsbright,sweet-smellingflowersseemedtosmilekindlyatthepoorprisonerswhowentintothatplace,andatthosewhocameouttotheirdeath.176月的早上，当时波士顿的监狱刚刚建成不久，但是看上去已经很旧了。这是一个阴暗、丑陋的地方，四周杂草丛生。唯一美丽的是门旁的一株野玫瑰，它那鲜艳的花朵散发出甜美气息，好像在向那些入狱的犯人或出监赴死的可怜囚徒善意地微笑着。AcrowdofpeoplewaitedinPrisonLane.Themenallhadbeards,andworesad-colouredclothesandtallgreyhats.Therewerewomen,too,inthecrowd,andalleyeswatchedtheheavywoodendooroftheprison.Therewasnomercyinthefaces,andthewomenseemedtotakeaspecialinterestinwhatwasgoingtohappen.Theywerecountrywomen,andthebrightmorningsunshonedownonstrongshouldersandwideskirts,andonround,redfaces.ManyofthemhadbeenborninEngland,andhadcrossedtheseatwentyyearsbefore,withthefirstfamilieswhocametobuildthetownofBostoninNewEngland.TheybroughtthecustomsandreligionofoldEnglandwiththem—andalsotheloudvoicesandstrongopinionsofEnglishwomenofthosetimes.兰，在20年前和最先来到这里的家庭一起横渡大海，在新英格兰这片土地上共同创建了Itwouldbebetter,'saidonehard-facedwomanoffifty,'ifwegood,sensible,church-goingwomencouldjudgethisHesterPrynne.Andwouldwegiveherthesamelightpunishmentthatthemagistratesgiveher?No!'Itwouldbebetter,'saidonehard-facedwomanoffifty,'ifwegood,sensible,church-goingwomencouldjudgethisHesterPrynne.Andwouldwegiveherthesamelightpunishmentthatthemagistratesgiveher?No!'Peoplesay,'saidanotherwoman,'thatMrDimmesdale,herpriest,isdeeplysaddenedbytheshamethatthiswomanhasbroughtonhischurch.'Themagistratesaretoomerciful,'saidathirdwoman.'Theyshouldburntheletterintoherforeheadwithhotmetal,notputitonthefrontofherSheoughttodie!'criedanotherwoman.'Shehasbroughtshameonallofus!Ah—hereshecomes!'Thedooroftheprisonopenedand,likeablackshadowcomingoutintosunshine,theprisonofficerappeared.Heputhisrighthandontheshoulderofawomanandpulledherforward,butshepushedhimawayandsteppedoutintotheopenair.Therewasachildinherarms—ababyofthreemonths—whichshutitseyesandturneditsheadawayfromthebrightsun.Thewoman'sfacewassuddenlypinkunderthestaresofthecrowd,butshesmiledproudlyandlookedroundatherneighboursandthepeopleofhertown.Onthebosomofherdress,infineredclothandsurroundedwithfantasticpatternsofgoldthread,wastheletterA.Theyoungwomanwastallandperfectlyshaped.Shehadlongdarkhairwhichshoneinthesunlight,andabeautifulfacewithdeepblackeyes.Shewalkedlikealady,andthosewhohadexpectedhertoappearsadandashamedweresurprisedhowherbeautyshoneoutthroughhermisfortune.ButthethingthateveryonestaredatwastheScarletLetter,sewnsofantasticallyontoherdress.SheisSheiscleverwithherneedle,'saidoneofthewomen.'Butwhatawaytoshowit!Sheismeanttowearthatletterasapunishment,notassomethingtobeproudof!'Theofficersteppedforwardandpeoplemovedbacktoallowthewomantowalkthroughthecrowd.Itwasnotfarfromtheprisontothemarket-place,where,atthewesternend,infrontofBoston'searliestchurch,stoodthescaffold.Here,criminalsmettheirdeathbeforetheeyesofthetownspeople,butthescaffoldplatformwasalsousedasaplaceofshame,wherethosewhohaddonewrongintheeyesofGodweremadetostandandshowtheirshamefulfacestotheworld.HesterPrynneacceptedherpunishmentbravely.Shewalkedupthewoodenstepstotheplatform,andturnedtofacethestaresofthecrowd.Athousandeyesfixedonher,lookingatthescarletletteronherbosom.Peopletodaymightlaughatasightlikethis,butinthoseearlyyearsofNewEngland,religiousfeelingwasverystrong,andtheshameofHesterPrynne'ssinwasfeltdeeplybyyoungandoldthroughoutthetown.英格兰创建之初，宗教的影响十分强大，因此赫斯特·普林的耻辱罪恶深深地震撼着全镇老Asshestoodthere,feelingeveryeyeuponher,shefeltshewantedtoscreamandthrowherselfofftheplatform,orelsegomadatonce.Picturesfromthepastcameandwentinsideherhead:picturesofhervillageinOldEngland,ofherdeadparents—herfather'sfacewithhiswhitebeard,hermother'slookofworriedlove.Andherownface—agirl'sfaceinthedarkmirrorwhereshehadoftenstaredatit.Andthenthefaceofamanoldinyears,athin,whiteface,withtheseriouslookofonewhospendsmostofhistimestudyingbooks.Amanwhoseeyesseemedtoseeintothehumansoulwhentheirownerwishedit,andwhoseleftshoulderwasalittlehigherthanhisright.NextcamepicturesofthetallgreyhousesandgreatchurchesofthecityofAmsterdam,whereanewlifehadbegunforherwiththisolderman.Andthen,suddenly,sheAndthen,suddenly,shewasbackintheBostonmarket-place,standingontheplatformofthescaffold.Coulditbetrue?SheheldthechildsoclosetoherbosomthatitcriedShelookeddownatthescarletletter,toucheditwithherfingertobesurethatthechildandtheshamewerereal.Yes—thesethingswerereal—everythingelsehaddisappeared.Afteratimethewomannoticedtwofiguresontheedgeofthecrowd.AnIndianwasstandingthere,andbyhissidewasawhiteman,smallandintelligent-looking,andwearingclothesthatshowedhehadbeentravellinginwildplaces.Andalthoughhehadarrangedhisclothestohideit,itwascleartoHesterPrynnethatoneoftheman'sshoulderswashigherthantheother.Again,shepulledthechildtoherbosomsoviolentlythatitcriedoutinpain.Butthemotherdidnotseemtohearit.ThemanontheedgeofthecrowdhadbeenlookingcloselyatHesterPrynneforsometimebeforeshesawhim.Atfirst,hisfacehadbecomedarkandangry—butonlyforamoment,thenitwascalmagain.SoonhesawHesterstaring,andknewthatsherecognizedhim.Excuseme,'hesaidtoamannearhim.'Whoisthiswoman,andwhyisshestandingthereinpublicshame?'Youmustbeastrangerhere,friend,'saidtheman,lookingatthequestionerandhisIndiancompanion,'oryouwouldknowabouttheevilMistressPrynne.ShehasbroughtgreatshameonMrDimmesdale'schurch.'“你肯定不是本地人吧，朋友，”那个人一边回答，一边打量着提问的人和他的印第安同伴，“要不然，你一定听说过这个罪孽深重的普林太太。她使丁梅斯代尔先生的教堂蒙受了Itistrue,'saidthestranger.'Iamnewhere.Ihavehadmanyonlandandatsea,andI'vebeenaprisonerofthewildmeninthesouth.ThisIndianhashelpedmegetfree.PleasetellmewhatbroughtthisHesterPrynnetothescaffold.'ShewasthewifeofanEnglishmanwholivedinAmsterdam,'saidthetownsman.'HedecidedtocometoMassachusetts,andsenthiswifeaheadofhimashehadbusinessmatterstobringtoanendbeforehecouldleave.DuringthetwoyearsthatthewomanhaslivedhereinBoston,therehasbeennonewsofMasterPrynne;andhisyoungwife,yousee...'Ah!Iunderstand,'saidthestranger,withacoldsmile.'AndwhoisfatherofthechildsheisThatremainsamystery,'saidtheotherman.'HesterPrynnerefusestospeakhisname.'Herhusbandshouldcomeandfindtheman,'saidthestranger,withanothersmile.Yes,indeedheshouldifheisstillalive,'repliedthetownsman.'Ourmagistrates,yousee,decidedtobemerciful.Sheisobviouslyguiltyofadultery,andtheusualpunishmentforadulteryisdeath.ButMistressPrynneisyoungandgood-looking,andherhusbandisprobablyatthebottomofthesea.So,intheirmercy,themagistrateshaveorderedhertostandonthescaffoldforthreehours,andtowearthescarlet"A"foradulteryfortherestofherlife.'Asensiblepunishment,'saidthestranger.'Itwillwarnothersagainstthissin.However,itiswrongthatthefatherofherchild,whohasalsosinned,isnotstandingbyhersideonthescaffold.Buthewillbeknown!Hewillbe“合理的判决！”那外地人说，“这可以告诫人们不要再犯这样的罪。不过，孩子的父亲也犯下了罪过，却没有和她一起站在绞刑台上，这可不对。不过他会被发现的！他一定会Thestrangerthankedthetownsman,whisperedafewwordstohiscompanion,andthentheybothmovedawaythroughtheDuringthisconversation,HesterPrynnehadbeenwatchingtheandwasgladtohavethestaringcrowdbetweenherselfandhim.Itwasbettertostandlikethis,thantohavetomeethimalone,andshefearedthemomentofthatmeetinggreatly.Lostinthesethoughts,shedidnotatfirsthearthevoicebehindher.他们谈话的这段时间里，赫斯特·momentofthatmeetinggreatly.Lostinthesethoughts,shedidnotatfirsthearthevoicebehindher.他们谈话的这段时间里，赫斯特·普林一直盯着那外地人——她很庆幸他们当中隔了一群旁观者。这样站着，总比他们俩单独相对要好受一些，她很怕跟他会面的时刻。她想得Listentome,HesterPrynne!'thevoicesaidItwasthevoiceofthefamousJohnWilson,theoldestpriestinBoston,andakindman.Hestoodwiththeotherpriestsandofficersofthetownonabalconyoutsidethemeeting-house,whichwasclosebehindthescaffold.Ihaveaskedmyyoungfriend'—MrWilsonputahandontheshoulderthepaleyoungpriestbesidehim—'toaskyouonceagainforthenameofthemanwhobroughtthisterribleshameuponyou.MrDimmesdalehasbeenyourpriest,andisthebestmantodoit.Speaktothewoman,MrDimmesdale.Itisimportanttohersoul,andtoyou,whocaresabouthersoul.Persuadehertotellthetruth!'Theyoungpriesthadlarge,sadbrowneyes,andlipsthattrembledashespoke.Heseemedshyandsensitive,andhisfacehadafearful,half-frightenedlook.Butwhenhespoke,hissimplewordsandsweetvoicewentstraighttopeople'sheartsandoftenbroughttearstotheireyes.HesteppedforwardonthebalconyandlookeddownatthewomanbelowHesterPrynne,'hesaid.'Ifyouthinkitwillbringpeacetoyoursoul,andwillbringyouclosertothepathtoheaven,speakoutthenameoftheman!Donotbesilentbecauseyoufeelsorryforhim.Believeme,Hester,althoughhemayhavetostepdownfromahighplaceandstandbesideyouontheplatformofshame,itisbettertodothatthantohideaguiltyheartthroughhislife.Heavenhasallowedyoupublicshame,andthechancetowinanopenbattlewiththeevilinsideyouandthesadnessoutside.Doyourefusetogivehimthatsamechance—whichhemaybetooafraidtotakehimself?'“赫斯特·普林，”他说，“如果你觉得这样做可以使你的灵魂得到平静，并且使你离通向天堂之路更加接近，就说出那个男人的名字！不要因为对他抱有怜悯而保持沉默。相信我HesterHestershookherhead,herfacenowaspaleastheyoungIwillnotspeakhisname,'shesaid.'MychildmustfindafatherinShewillneverknowoneonAgainshewasasked,andagainsherefused.Thentheoldestpriesttothecrowdaboutalltheevilintheworld,andaboutthesinthatbroughtthemarkofthescarletletter.Foranhourormorehespoke,butHesterPrynnekeptherplacealoneupontheplatformofshame.她再一次遭到问询，再一次拒绝回答。那位最年长的牧师对人群发表了一通论述世间所有罪恶的演讲，其中包括招致那个红字的罪恶。在长达一个多小时的演讲中，赫斯特·普林Whenthehoursofpunishmentwereover,shewastakenbacktotheprison.Anditwaswhisperedbythosewhostaredafterherthatthescarletletterthrewaterrible,ghostlylightintothedarknessinsidetheprison2．罗杰·Backinsidetheprison,HesterPrynnebecamestrangelyfearfulandexcited.Theprisonofficer,MasterBrackett,watchedhercarefully,afraidthatshewoulddosomethingviolent,eithertoherselfortothechild.Bynight-time,unabletoquietenher,andworriedaboutthechildwhoscreamedwithoutstopping,Brackettdecidedtobringadoctortoher.HedescribedhimtoHesterassomeonewhohadlearnedmuchaboutnaturalmedicinesfromtheIndians.ButthemanwhofollowedBrackettintotheprisonwasthemanHesterhadseenontheedgeofthecrowdearlier,themanshehadwatchedinfear.Hisname,shewastold,wasRogerBrackettbroughtthemanin,andstoodwatchinginsurpriseasbecameasstillasdeath.Thechild,however,continuedtoPleasePleaseleaveusalone,'Chillingworthsaidtotheprisonofficer,'andyouwillsoonhavepeaceinyourhouse.'Hehadenteredtheroomcalmly,carryingasmallbag,andhecalmafterBracketthadleftthem.Firsthewenttothechildandlookedcarefullyather.Thenheopenedhisbag,tookoutsomepowder,andputitintoacupofwater.Here,woman!'hesaid.'Thechildisyours,notmine.GivethistoHesterdidnotmove,andwhenshespoke,hervoicewasawhisper.'Don'ttakeyourrevengeonaninnocentchild.'Sillywoman!'hereplied,halfcoldly,halfkindly.'Ifthispoor,babywasmyown—mine,aswellasyours!—IwouldgiveherthesameHesterstillhesitated,sohetookthechildandgaveherthehimself.Almostatonceshebecamequiet,andafteramomentfellpeacefullyChillingworthpreparedanotherdrinkofmedicineandheldoutthecupHester.'Drinkit!'hesaid.'Itcannotquietenyourtroubledsoul,butitwillcalmyou.'Shetookitfromhimslowly,buthereyeswerefullofdoubtabouthisreasonsforhelpingher.Thenshelookedathersleepingchild.Ihavethoughtofdeath,'shesaid.'Ihavewishedforit,andevenforit,butifdeathisinthiscup,thenIaskyoutothinkagainbeforeIdrinkYouneednotbeafraid,'herepliedcalmly.Youneednotbeafraid,'herepliedcalmly.'IfIwantedrevenge,thenwhatmorecouldIaskforthantoletyoulive—andsuffer,undertheshadowofthisAshespoke,heputhisfingeronthescarletletter,whichsuddenlyseemedtoburnred-hotonHester'sbosom.Shedrankthemedicinequickly,thensatdownonthebedwherethechildwassleeping.Shewatched,tremblingasthemanshehadwrongedpulledupachairandsatbesideher.Hester,'hesaid,'you'vebeenweak,butI'vebeenstupid.Lookatme!oldandugly.IwasuglyfromthemomentthatIwasborn.Butyou?Youwereyoungandbeautiful,andfulloflife.HowcouldIhaveimagined,thedaythatImarriedyou,thatyouwouldeverloveme?Howcouldamanofbooksandlearningbesostupid?'Ineverfeltorpretendedanyloveforyou,'saidTrue,'herepliedButIhopedtomakeyouloveme.'Ihavegreatlywrongedyou,'HesterWehavewrongedeachother,'hesaid.'I'mnotlookingforrevenge,Hester.Iwishyounoharm.Butthereisamanlivingwhohaswrongedusboth!Whoishe?'Donotaskme!'shecried,lookingstraightathim.'YouwillneverknowhisHissmilewasbothdarkandconfident.'Believeme,Hester,'hesaid,'Ishallknowhim!Althoughhedoesnotwearaletterofshameonhisclothes,asyoudo,Ishallreaditonhisheart.Ishallseeitinhiseyes.Ishallwatchhimtremble,andIwillfeelmyselftremblewithhim.Butdon'tbeafraid.Iwon'thurthim,orharmhispositioninthetownifheisanimportantmanhere.NorshallIinformthelaw.No,lethimlive!Lethimpretendtobeanhonestman!Heavenwillpunishhimforme.ButIwillknowhim!'睛里看到的。我要看着他浑身颤抖，我都能感到自己会和他一起颤栗了。不过不要害怕，我不会伤害他，如果他在这里是一个显赫人物的话，我也不会对他的地位造成什么损害。我不会告发他的。不，我要让他活着！让他假装是一个诚实的人！上天会代我惩罚他。但睛里看到的。我要看着他浑身颤抖，我都能感到自己会和他一起颤栗了。不过不要害怕，我不会伤害他，如果他在这里是一个显赫人物的话，我也不会对他的地位造成什么损害。我不会告发他的。不，我要让他活着！让他假装是一个诚实的人！上天会代我惩罚他。但Yousayyouwillnotharmhim,'saidHester,confusedandafraid,'butyourwordsfrightenme.'OnethingIaskyou—you,whoweremywife,'hesaid.'Youhavekeptyourlover'ssecret,nowkeepmine!Tellnobodythatyouevercalledmehusband.Nooneinthislandknowsme.Buthere,onthiswildedgeoftheearth,Ishallstay,becauseyouandyours,HesterPrynne,belongtome.Loveorhate,rightorwrong,myhomeiswhereyouareandwhereheis.ButkeepmyWhydoyouwantthis?'saidHester,suddenlyafraidofthisagreement,althoughshedidnotknowwhy.'Whynotsayopenlywhoyouare,andsendmeawayatonce?'PerhapsbecauseIdonotwanttohearwhatpeoplesayaboutawholoseshiswifetoanotherman,'hesaid.'Letthemthinkyourhusbandisalreadydead.Pretendnottoknowme.Donottelloursecrettoanyone,andmostofall,nottoyourlover.Donotfailinthis,Hester!Remember,hisgoodname,hisposition,hislifewillbeinmyhands!'Iwillkeepyoursecret,asIhavekepthis,'saidAndnow,MistressPrynne,'saidthemancalledRogerChillingworth,'Iwillleaveyoualonewithyourchildandthescarletletter!'Hesmiled,slowly.Hesterstaredathim,afraidoftheexpressioninhisWhydoyousmileatme?'sheasked.'Haveyoutiedmeintoanagreementthatwilldestroymysoul?'Notyoursoul,'heanswered,withanothersmile.'No,not3．A3．AfatherlessHesterPrynne'stimeinprisonnowcametoanend,butshedidnotmoveawayfromthetown.Thefatherofherchildlivedhere,andhereshewouldstay;althoughshekeptthisthoughthiddenguiltilyinherheart.Thereasonshegaveherselfforstayingwasthis:'Isinnedhere,andIwillsuffermyearthlypunishmenthere.'Therewasasmallcottagejustoutsidethetown,lookingoutacrosstheseatowardstheforest-coveredhillsofthewest,andHesterandherchildwenttoliveinthislonelylittlehouse.Theyhadnofriends,butHestersoonfoundthatshecouldearnenoughmoneytobuyfoodandclothesforherselfandherdaughter.Shewascleverwithaneedle,andthescarletletterwhichsheworeonbosomwasaperfectexampleofherworkthateveryonecouldsee.Soon,Hester'sbeautifulsewing,withitspatternsingoldandsilverthread,becamethefashionwiththerichandimportantpeopleofthetown.HerneedleworkwasseenontheshirtsoftheGovernor,onthefinedressesoftheladies,onthebabies'littlecoatsandhats,andontheburial-clothesofthedead.Hesterhademploymentforasmanyhoursasshewantedtowork.Sheusedwhatevertimeshehadlefttomakeclothesforthepoorpeopleofthetown,althoughshegotnothanksforit.Andindeed,shefoundnokindnessanywhere.ThePuritansofthattimewerehardjudges,andawomanwhohadsinnedasHesterhadsinnedwasalwaysanoutsider.Everyword,everylook,everycold,accusingsilenceremindedheroftheshameandthelonelymiseryofherlife.Eventhechildrenranafterherinthestreet,shoutingterriblenames.Shelivedverysimply.Herowndressesweremadefromdark,colouredcloth,withthescarletletterbrightonthebosom.Herchild'sweretheoppositeweretheopposite—inmaterialsofdeep,richcolours,withbeautifulpatternssewningoldthread.Herdaughter'snamewasPearl.Shewasaprettychild,butachildofmanymoods—oneminutebrightandhappyandloving,thenextminutedarkandangry.Achildofsin,shehadnorighttoplaywiththechildrenofgodlyfamiliesand,likehermother,shewasanoutsider.InastrangewayPearlseemedtounderstandthis,andoftenscreamedandthrewstonesattheotherchildren.Hesterworriedaboutherdaughter'swildnessandtriedhardtocorrecther,butwithoutmuchsuccess.Sometimes,heronlyhoursofpeaceandquietnesswerewhenPearlwassleeping.可爱，接下来就变得阴沉、愤怒。她是罪孽的产物，没有权利和那些崇敬上帝的人家的孩子玩耍。和她的母亲一样，她也四处遭人排斥。珍珠似乎以奇异的方式理解了这一切，她经常尖叫着抄起石子向其他孩子扔去。赫斯特为女儿身上流露出来的野性担心，她努力去Oneday,whenPearlwasaboutthreeyearsold,HesterwenttotheofGovernorBellingham.Shewastakingafineshirtshehadsewn,butshealsowantedtospeaktotheGovernorinperson.ShehadheardthatmanyPuritansinthetownwantedtotakePearlawayfromher.TheysaiditwouldbebetterforthechildtogrowupinamoregodlyhomethanHesterSoitwasaworriedHesterwhowalkedtotheGovernor'shousethatmorning.Shehaddressedherdaughterinabeautifulreddress,addingtothechild'snaturalbeauty,andasPearldancedalongbesidehermother,ithadastrangeeffect.Thechildinherreddressseemedlikethescarletletterinanothershape;thescarletlettergivenlifeandmovement.AttheGovernor'shousethedoorwasopenedbyaIstheGovernorin?'askedYes,'repliedtheservant.'ButtherearepeoplewithhimattheYoucan'tseehimI'llwait,'saidHester,andsteppedintotheentrancehall.Thehallwaswidewithahighceiling,andtherewereheavychairsalongonesideandalongtableinthecentre.Atthefarendofthehallwasabigglassdoor,whichopenedoutThehallwaswidewithahighceiling,andtherewereheavychairsalongonesideandalongtableinthecentre.Atthefarendofthehallwasabigglassdoor,whichopenedoutintoagarden.Hestercouldseerosebushesandappletrees,andPearlimmediatelybegantocryforaredrose.Shh!Bequiet,child!'saidhermother.'Look,theGovernoriscomingdownthegardenpath,withthreemoregentlemen.'GovernorBellingham,withhisgreybeard,walkedinfront.BehindhimcameJohnWilson,theoldpriest,whosebeardwasaswhiteassnow;andbehindhimwasArthurDimmesdale,withRogerChillingworth.Theyoungpriest'shealthhadbeenpoorforsometime,andRogerChillingworth,wellknowninthetownforhisknowledgeofmedicines,wasnowbothfriendanddoctortohim.威尔逊牧师跟在他身后，这位年长的牧师奇林沃思。年轻的牧师最近奇林沃思对医药的丰富知识在城镇中无人不晓，此时已经成了牧师的医生兼朋友。TheGovernorpushedopenthedoor—andfoundhimselflookingatPearl,whileHesterstoodintheshadowofacurtain,half-hidden.Whathavewehere?'saidGovernorBellingham,surprisedtoseethelittlescarletfigureinfrontofhim.Yes,whatlittlebirdisthis?'saidoldMrWilson.'Whoareyou,MynameisPearl,'answeredthelittlePearl?'repliedtheoldpriest.'Butwhereisyourmother?Ah!Iseehernow.'HeturnedtotheGovernorandwhispered,'Thisisthechildweweretalkingabout,andlook,hereistheunhappywoman,HesterPrynne,herIsthatright?'criedtheGovernor.'Shecomesatagoodtime.Wediscussthematternow.'Hesteppedthroughthedoorintothehall,followedbyhisthreeguests.'HesterPrynne,wehavebeenaskingmanyquestionsaboutyourecently.AreyoutherightpersontoteachthischildthewaysofGod,andsomakesureofaplaceinheavenforhersoul?You,awomanhassinned!Willitnotbebetterforherifwetakeherawayfromyou,andteachherthetruthshassinned!Willitnotbebetterforherifwetakeherawayfromyou,andteachherthetruthsofheavenandearth?Whatcanyoudoforher,woman?'他进门走到大厅赫斯特普林，最近我们讨论了很多关于你的事。你能够按上帝的法则教育这个孩子，并确保她的灵魂可以上天堂吗？你，一个犯了罪的女人！我们把她”IcanteachmylittlePearlwhatIhavelearnedfromthis!'answeredHesterPrynne,puttingherfingeronthescarletletter.'Everyday,itteachesmelessonsthatIpassontomychild.ShewillbeabetterandwiserpersonthanIeverwas.'普林把手指放到那个红色字母上回答，这个字每天都会给我教训，我再把这些道理教给孩子。她会成为一个比过去的我更”Bellinghamturnedtotheoldpriest.'MrWilson,seewhatthischildheTheoldpriestsatdowninoneoftheheavychairsandtriedtobringPearlacrosstohim,butsheescapedthroughtheopendoorandstoodonthestepoutside,lookinglikearichlycolouredbirdreadytoflyaway.Pearl,'saidMrWilson,withaseriouslookonhisface.'Listentome,CanyoutellmewhomadeNowPearlknewtheanswerverywell,becauseHesterhadtoldheraboutGodmanytimes,andhadexplainedthosethingswhicheverychildshouldknow.ButPearlputherfingersinhermouthandwouldnotspeak.YoumustanswergoodMrWilson'squestion,'saidhermother.'Please,Pearl!Tellhimwhatyouknow.'Mymotherpickedmefromthewildrosebushthatgrowsoutsidetheprisondoor!'saidPearl.RogerChillingworthsmiledandwhisperedsomethingintheyoungpriest'sThisisterrible!'criedtheGovernor.'Thechildisthreeyearsold,anddoesnotknowwhomadeher!Idonotthink,gentlemen,thatweneedtoaskanymore!'HesterpulledPearltowardsherandheldherhand.'Godgavemethechild,'shecried.'Sheismyhappiness,mypain!Youshallnottakeher!Iwilldiefirst!'Mypoorwoman,'saidtheoldpriest,kindly,'wewillfindsomeonewhowilltakecareofthechildfarbetterthanyoucan.'Godgavehertome!'repeatedHester,hervoicehighandafraid.'Iwillnotlethergo!'SheturnedtoMrDimmesdale.'Speakforme!'shecried.'Youweremypriest,andyouknowmebetterthanthesemen.Youknowwhatisinmyheart,andhowstronglyamotherfeelswhenshehasnothingexceptherchildandthescarletletter!'我绝不会让她离开我！她说，你曾是我的牧师，你比这些人更了解我。你了解我心里的想法，也了解一个母亲，一个除了孩子和红字一无所有的母”Theyoungprieststeppedforward,hisfacewhiteandnervous,andwithpaininhislargedarkeyes.Thereistruthinwhatshesays,'hebegan.Hisvoicewassweetandgentle,butitseemedtoringthroughthehalllikeabell.'Godgaveherthechild,andisthatnotpartofGod'splanforthispoor,sinfulwoman?Withthechildbyherside,everydayshewillberemindedofhergreatsin,hershame;andthepainandsadnessofitwillalwaysbewithher.ButGodhasgivenherajobtodo,whichwillkeephersoulaliveandsaveherfromfurthersin.Shemustloveandcareforthechild,andteachitthewaysofGod,toknowgoodfromevil,rightfromwrong.And,withGod'sgreatmercy,ifshebringsthechildtoheaven,thenthechildalsowillbringitsmotherthere!No,no,weshouldleavethemotherandchildtogether,andletGod'sgiftdoitsworksavingthemother'ssoul!'Youspeak,myfriend,withastrangepassion,'saidoldRogerChillingworth,smilingathim.Andmyyoungfriendspea