Hester decides the time has come for Dimmesdale to meet Pearl. Hester and Dimmesdale are joined spiritually and genetically to this child, and “in her was visible the tie that united them.” While Dimmesdale confesses that he has always been afraid someone would recognize his features in Pearl, Hester simply speaks of Pearl’s beauty and sees her as a “living hieroglyphic.” Dimmesdale remembers Pearl being kind to him, yet he also feels ill at ease around children and is not very confident about this meeting. Hester, however, assures him that Pearl will love him and that he should be careful not to overwhelm her with emotion.
Pearl moves very slowly toward them, trying to discern her parents’ relationship. Dimmesdale senses her hesitation and puts his hand once again over his heart. Seeing the scarlet letter on the ground and her mother’s hair sensuously falling about her shoulders, Pearl points her finger, stamps her foot, shrieks, and “bursts into a fit of passion.”
