Hester and the Physician

           HesterbadelittlePearlrundowntothemarginofthewater,andplaywiththeshellsandtangledsea-weed,untilsheshouldhavetalkedawhilewithyondergathererofherbs.Sothechildflewawaylikeabird,and,makingbarehersmallwhitefeetwentpatteringalongthemoistmarginofthesea.Hereandthereshecametoafullstop,adpeepedcuriouslyintoapool,leftbytheretiringtideasamirrorforPearltoseeherfacein.Forthpeepedather,outofthepool,withdark,glisteningcurlsaroundherhead,andanelf-smileinhereyes,theimageofalittlemaidwhomPearl,havingnootherplaymate,invitedtotakeherhandandrunaracewithher.Butthevisionarylittlemaidonherpart,beckonedlikewise,asiftosay—"Thisisabetterplace;comethouintothepool."AndPearl,steppinginmid-legdeep,beheldherownwhitefeetatthebottom;while,outofastilllowerdepth,camethegleamofakindoffragmentarysmile,floatingtoandfrointheagitatedwater.

           Meanwhilehermotherhadaccostedthephysician."Iwouldspeakawordwithyou,"saidshe—"awordthatconcernsusmuch."

           "Aha!andisitMistressHesterthathasawordforoldRogerChillingworth?"answeredhe,raisinghimselffromhisstoopingposture."Withallmyheart!Why,mistress,Iheargoodtidingsofyouonallhands!Nolongeragothanyester-eve,amagistrate,awiseandgodlyman,wasdiscoursingofyouraffairs,MistressHester,andwhisperedmethattherehadbeenquestionconcerningyouinthecouncil.