Someofthegreatestsuccessstoriesofhistoryhavefollowedawordofencouragementoranactofconfidencebyalovedoneoratrustingfriend.Haditnotbeenforaconfidentwife,Sophia,wemightnothavelistedamongthegreatnamesofliteraturethenameofNathanielHawthorne.WhenNathaniel,aheartbrokenman,wenthometotellhiswifethathewasafailureandhadbeenfiredfromhisjobinacustomhouse,shesurprisedhimwithanexclamationofjoy.

　　"Now,"shesaidtriumphantly,"youcanwriteyourbook!"

　　"Yes,"repliedtheman,withsaggingconfidence,"andwhatshallweliveonwhileIamwritingit?"

　　Tohisamazement,sheopenedadrawerandpulledoutasubstantialamountofmoney.

　　"Whereonearthdidyougetthat?"heexclaimed.

　　"Ihavealwaysknowyouwereamanofgenius,"shetoldhim."Iknewthatsomedayyouwouldwriteamasterpiece.Soeveryweek,outofthemoneyyougavemeforhousekeeping,Isavedalittlebit.Sohereisenoughtolastusforonewholeyear."

　　FromhertrustandconfidencecameoneofthegreatestnovelsofAmericanliterature,TheScarletLetter.