-and how close he was ti madness; she heard the terror in his voice as he asked her for help. And she decide he had a right to all the help she could give him.
-Her position in the town was now rather different. In the seven years since Pearl was born, Hester had worn the scarlet letter patiently and had led a hard-working and blameless life. People no longer hated her; some even respected her.
-she is always ready to give what she can to the poor, although she gets little thanks for the food she takes to them, or the clothes she make for them.
-And whenever a house was darkened by trouble, Hester was there with warm and kindly words, and the offer of help. But when sunshine came again, she left without looking back or waiting for the grateful thanks of those who had been troubled. And afterwards, when she saw them in the street, on her scarlet letter of shame, and passed by.
-Beneath her calmness, however, there had often been great loneliness and suffering. These had made her strong and she now felt able to face the man who had once been her husband. It was clear to Hester that this man was the priest's secret enemy, playing the part of a friend and helper, and slowly but surely driving the priest into madness.
-And to do what she could to stop his cruel and evil revenge.
-she did not have long to wait. One afternoon,
-The child flew away like a bird, her small white feet making patterns in the wet sand at the edge of the sea.
-Only yesterday a magistrate whispered to me that the officers of the town were discussing whether the scarlet letter could now be taken off your bosom. You should do it at once, I told him
-It is not for some magistrat to take off this letter, When-if ever-I earn the right to be rid of it, it will fall off without anyone's help.
-Wear it, then, if you want to, It is a fine piece of needle work and look well on your bosom.
-He was no longer the calm, intelligent man she remembered; now there was a cruel, searching look in his eyes, and a cold half-smile came went on his face. Seven years of getting enjoyment from a cruel revenge had left the Devil's mark on him. His soul seems to be on fire!
-and it is I who have allowed this to happen!
-what else can you do? A word from me, and this man would be thrown from his church into a prison
-Haven't you had your revenge? Hasn't he suffered enough for his sins?
-as I was nine years ago? You thought I was cold, perhaps, but was I not kind and true, and a good friend to others?
-all that, and more.
-And what am I now? and his face showed the evil that was in him. A devil! And who made me this?
-It was me
-Me,as much as he. So why didn't you punish me?
-There is no path to guide any of us out of this misery