Together, with Hester supporting the reverend’s weight and pearl holding his hand, they climbed up the steps of the scaffolding togerher,
“Are you mad?” whispered Roger Chillingworth, who stood near them. “Stand away from that woman and be cast into the pit of dishonor! I can’t help you after this!”
“He ha,” the reverend laughed at Chillingworth. “Tempter, you are too late this time. With God’s help, I will escape you now!”
The crowd watched in an uproar as the three stood on the scaffolding. The noblemen of rank and dignity could not understand the meaning of his actions.
Old Chillingworth followed them, as if he were just another actor in their guilty drama, on stage for the final act. Looking darkly at the reverend, he said, “You could have searched the Earth for a place to hide from me. There is no place high or low where you could have escaped to, except for this very scaffolding.
The reverend looked to Hester, “Isn’t this better than the plans we made in the forest”
‘I don’t know. It may lead to the death of us all,’ she replied.
“God will protect you and pearl. As for me, I am a dying man. This is my last chance to accept the truth of my shame.”
Then, the reverend faced the other clergyman, the governor, the noblemon, and the crowd of townspeople.
“People of New England!” he cried in a shameful sinner! Should have stood here seven years ago when the governor demanded to know the name of Hester Prynne’s partner in sin! You have all seen the scarlet letter that this woman wears. But there has stood one among you whose brand of shame and infamy you have not seen!”