Chapter 16: : Hester learned that
the Minister had gone into the woods to visit a friend who lived among the Indians. She learned
when he was expected to return, and when the day came, she and Pearl went into the forest so she could
catch him on his return and speak with him in private. As they enter the forest, Pearl says that
she can stand in the sunlight, but the sunlight runs away from Hester. In response, Hester reaches
out to touch the stream of light that flocks around the little elf-child, and it vanishes when her hand
comes near. Pearl then asks her mother for a story about the black man who inhabits the forest,
which she over heard a woman the previous evening talking about. Pearl said that people went into
the forest and signed the Black man's book with their blood and that she heard the scarlet letter was
the black man's mark on her mother. They traveled into the deep into the forest and stopped next
to a little brook that Pearl began playing around. After a while, they saw the Reverend Dimmesdale
come walking slowly down the path, and Hester tells Pearl to run and play.
Chapter 17: Hester calls out to
the Minister and he instantly straightens up and looks towards her. He finds out it is she and
they inquire on how their lives have been in the last seven years. They sit down together on a
log, and ask each other if they have found peace. The minister expresses his sadness and how he
feels like a hypocrite teaching others to be holy, when he himself has a terrible hidden sin.
Hester tries to help him by talking with him and caring for him. He thanks her for her friendship.
She then tells him of Roger Chillingsworth, how he is her husband, and out for revenge. Dimmesdale
is horrified but knew that something was wrong with Roger Chillingworth. Hester could not take
the frown that descended upon his face, and asked him if he forgave her. He has, and she asks
if he remembers what they had. She hints that they once had a great passion and affection for
each other. Hester talks of them leaving together. Arthur says he has not the strength to
travel that far, but with Hester helping him, they thought they could do it.
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