She turned her head away therefore, and sat quite silent, with the old stubborn look of resolved purpose.
'Mamma, you will let him come to you now ?' 'No.' 'Not your own Hester's husband ?' 'No.' 'Are we to be divided for ever ?' 'Did I not tell you before,--when you were going?
Shall I lie, and say that I love him?
I will not touch pitch, lest I be defiled.' 'Mamma, he is my husband.

You shall not call him pitch.

He is my very own.

Mamma, mamma!--recall the word that you have said.' The woman felt that it had to be recalled in some degree.

'I said nothing of him, Hester.