The Interview

           Afterherreturntotheprison,HesterPrynnewasfoundtobeinastateofnervousexcitement,thatdemandedconstantwatchfulness,lestsheshouldperpetrateviolenceonherself,ordosomehalf-frenziedmischieftothepoorbabe.Asnightapproached,itprovingimpossibletoquellherinsubordinationbyrebukeorthreatsofpunishment,MasterBrackett,thejailer,thoughtfittointroduceaphysician.HedescribedhimasamanofskillinallChristianmodesofphysicalscience,andlikewisefamiliarwithwhateverthesavagepeoplecouldteachinrespecttomedicinalherbsandrootsthatgrewintheforest.Tosaythetruth,therewasmuchneedofprofessionalassistance,notmerelyforHesterherself,butstillmoreurgentlyforthechild—who,drawingitssustenancefromthematernalbosom,seemedtohavedrankinwithitalltheturmoil,theanguishanddespair,whichpervadedthemother’ssystem.Itnowwrithedinconvulsionsofpain,andwasaforcibletype,initslittleframe,ofthemoralagonywhichHesterPrynnehadbornethroughouttheday.

           Closelyfollowingthejailerintothedismalapartment,appearedthatindividual,ofsingularaspectwhosepresenceinthecrowdhadbeenofsuchdeepinteresttothewearerofthescarletletter.Hewaslodgedintheprison,notassuspectedofanyoffence,butasthemostconvenientandsuitablemodeofdisposingofhim,untilthemagistratesshouldhaveconferredwiththeIndiansagamoresrespectinghisransom.HisnamewasannouncedasRogerChillingworth.