With Pearl now at age seven, Hester has changed herself. She has become more active in society and although she is not welcomed completely, she is an aid to those in need. She is harsher than she once was and thinks it is time for Chillingworth to expose his identity to the minister.

Idont think Pearl has been given a fair chance, granted she is an odd child, she is always questioned on whether she is human or demonic. Even her own mother is not comfortable around her and it seems to be a reaccuring subject.

One day Pearl and Hester run into Chillingworth at the beach, where he is gathering herbs for his medicines. She walks up to him but before she can say anything he snears at her and mockly states that he has heard of her improvement in society and talk of allowing her to remove the letter from her chest. He is returned with Hesters remark that no human can remove it from her but only a devine power can do so.