Chapter 15: Hester and Pearl

-In the beginning, Chillingworth is collecting herbs and other medicinal items.
-Hester reveals more to the reader her view of Chillingworth.
--“Would not the earth, quickened to an evil purpose by the sympathy of his eye, greet him with poisonous shrubs, of species hitherto unknown, that would start up under his fingers?”(158)
-Pearl is fooling around at the pond and adorns herself with seaweed and other objects found at the pond. She goes so far as to give herself an "A," as Hester has.
--“As the last touch to her mermaid's garb, Pearl took some eel-grass and imitated, as best she could, on her own bosom, the decoration with which she was so familiar on her mother's. A letter, - the letter A, - but freshly green, instead of scarlet!”(161)
-Pearl questions Hester about the meaning of the "A" Hester wears. She also becomes aware that there is something going on between Hester and Dimmesdale.
--“‘Truly do I!’ answered Pearl, looking brightly into her mother's face. ‘It is for the same reason that the minister keeps his hand over his heart!’”(161)
-Hester takes caution not to tell too much, since the truth may phase Pearl, or Pearl may tell others for some reason.
--“‘What shall I say?’ thought Hester to herself. ‘No! If this be the price of the child's sympathy, I cannot pay it’”(163).
-Hester tells a small lie, knowing that it is for the good of Pearl as well as herself.
--“‘Silly Pearl,’ said she, ‘what questions are these? There are many things in this world that a child must not ask about. What know I of the minister's heart? And as for the scarlet letter, I wear it for the sake of its gold-thread’”(163).
-Pearl does not feel resolved about the issue.
--“But the child did not see fit to let the matter drop. Two or three times, as her mother and she went homeward, and as often at supper-time, and while Hester was putting her to bed, and once after she seemed to be fairly asleep, Pearl looked up, with mischief gleaming in her black eyes” (164).