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in what my young brother hathspoken;〃 added the Reverend Mr。 Wilson。 〃What say you; worshipfulMaster Bellingham? Hath he not pleaded well for the poor woman?〃 〃Indeed hath he;〃 answered the magistrate; 〃and hath adduced sucharguments; that we will even leave the matter as it now stands; solong; at least; as there shall be no further scandal in the woman。Care must be had; nevertheless; to put the child to due and statedexamination in the catechism; at thy hands or Master Dimmesdale's。Moreover; at a proper season; the tithing…men must take heed thatshe go both to school and to meeting。〃 The young minister; on ceasing to speak; had withdrawn a few stepsfrom the group; and stood with his face partially concealed in theheavy folds of the window…curtain; while the shadow of his figure;which the sunlight cast upon the floor; was tremulous with thevehemence of his appeal。 Pearl; that wild and flighty little elf;stole softly towards him; and taking his hand in the grasp of both herown; laid her cheek against it; a caress so tender; and withal sounobtrusive; that her mother; who was looking on; asked herself; 〃Isthat my Pearl?〃 Yet she knew that there was love in the child's heart;although it mostly revealed itself in passion; and hardly twice in herlifetime had been softened by such gentleness as now。 The minister…for; save the long…sought regards of woman; nothing is sweeter thanthese marks of childish preference; accorded spontaneously by aspiritual instinct; and therefore seeming to imply in us somethingtruly worthy to be loved… the minister looked round; laid his handon the child's head; hesitated an instant; and then kissed her brow。Little Pearl's unwonted mood of sentiment lasted no longer; shelaughed; and went capering down the hall; so airily; that old Mr。Wilson raise
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