Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1892-09-02
CHAPTER vi.


and expatiating on his projected inn
provements The wide circumference OF /
am elaborate ruff beneath his gray beard. /
ia the andquated fashion Of King |
James reign. caused his head to look |
not little like that OF John the Baptist 1
IN "a charger The impression made by |
his aspect. SO rigid and severe and frost |
bitten with more than autumnal age
was hardly in keeping with the appi-
ances of worldly enjoyment wherewith
be had evidently done his utmost to
surround himself
Behind the governor and Mr. Wilson
came two other guests. one the Reverend
Arthur Dimmcsdale, whom the reader
may remember as having taken n brief
and reluctant part in the scene of Hester
Prynncs disgrace, and in close COM
partnership with him old Roger Chill
hngworth a person Of great skill in
physic. who for two or three years past
had been settled in the town. It was
understood that this learned man was
the physician rs well as friend of the
Young minister, whose health hnd
severely suffered of late by his too un.
reserved self sacrifice to the labors and
duties of the pastoral relation
The governor, in advance OF his
visitors, assembled one or two steps and,
throwing open the leaves Of the great
hall window, found himself close to
little Pearl. The shadow of the curtain
fell on Hester Prynne and partially con-
cealed her.
"What have we hereg said Governor
Bellingham, looking with surprise at the
scarlet little figure before him. Il pro
fess have never seen the like since my
days of vanity. in old King James
time when was won't TO esteem it
high favor to bc admitted to "a court
mask There used to be swarm Of
these small appartions in holiday time
and we called them children of the Lord
/ Of Misrule. But how got such a guest
into my hallY
AYE. indeedT cried good old Mr..
/ Wilson What little bird Of scarlet
/ plumage may this be? Methinks | have
seen just such figures, when the sun has
been shining through a richly painted
window and tracing out the golden and
that Was in the old land. Prithee, young
one. who art thou, and what has allied
thy mother to bedizen thee in this
strange fashion? Art thou a Christian
child-has Dost know thy catechism.
Or art thou one Of those naughty elfs Of
fairies, whom we thought to have left
behind MS, with other relics OF Papistry
in merry old Englandg'
81 am mothers child" answered thl
scarlet vision, "and my name is Pearl "
Pearl? Ruby, rather, or Coral o.
Red Rose, at the very least, judging
from thy hue, responded the old min
lister, putting forth his hand in a vain
attempt to pat little Pearl on the cheek
But where is this mother Of thine? All
see. " he added, and turning to Gov
ernor Bellingham whispered This il
the self same child of whom we havl
held speech together, and behold her
the unhappy woman, Hester Prynne, he
mother"
"Sayest thou sog" cried the governor
may, we might have judged that sucl
q child's mother must needs be q scarle
woman and a worthy type Of her o
Babylon. But she comes at a goo
time, and we will look into this matte
forthwith"
Governor Bellingham stepped through
the window into the hall, followed b.
his three guests.
Chester Prynne, said he, fixing hi
naturally stern regard on the wearer @
the scarlet letter, there hath been muc
question concerning thee of late tn
point hath been weightily d:scusse
p whether we. that are Of authority an
influence, DO well discharge our cor
sciences by trusting an immortal sou
such rs there is in yonder child, to th
guidance Of one who hath stumbled an
D fallen amid the pitfalls Of this worl,
-, Speak, thou, the child's own mothe
? Wero it not, thinkost thou, for thy lit
D ones temporal and eternal welfare tn,
r she be taken ont Of thy charge, and ella
e soberly, and disciplined strictly, and il
e stucted in the truths of heaven an
7 earths What canst thou do for the chi
7 in this kindy
t Il can teach my little Pearl what
r have learned from this answered He
i ter Prynne, laying her finger on the T,
r token.
u Woman, it is thy badge of shame
s. replied the stern magistrate. 1T is b
e cause Of the stain which that letter i
p dicates that we would transfer thy Chi
- TO other hands"
Nevertheless, said the mother calI
r ~, though growing more pale, I'll
. badge hath taught NETT daily teach
Il met is teaching me at this moment
IS lessons whereof my child may be &
wiser and better, albeit they can pro
4 nothing 70 myself
% 1--WE viii judge warily," said Bellin
ham. "ana look well what we are abo
ID to do. Good Master Wilson, pray "
re examine this Pearl-since that is d
e. namc-and see whether she hath b
D. such Christian nurture rs BELTS chi
II Of her age"
The old minister seated himself in
or armchair and made an effort to DIR;
or Pearl betwixt his knees But the Chi
:" unaccustoIAed 60 the touch or familiar
e. Of any but her mother, escaped throu
SIS the open window and stood on the upl
re step. looking Ikea wild tropical bird