I shall be too cold to move soon," Mr Dimmesdale thought. "I won't even be able to walk down the steps.' Crazy pictures passed before his eyes. "Someone will find me here in the early morning, and will run around knocking on doors. Everyone will hurry out in their night-clothes Governor Bellingham, with his buttons undone; his sister, mad Mistress Hibbins staring with her wild eyes; and good Father Wilson too, tired after spending half the night at a death-bed. Yes, everyone in the world will come running! And who will they see? They will see their priest, half-frozen to death, covered with shame, and standing where Hester Prynne once stood! Now he began to laugh, loudly and wildly, unable to stop himself. Then he heard an answering laugh a child's laugh and his heart jumped. It was little Pearl Pearl!" he cried. "Little Pearl Then more softly, 'Hester! Hester Prynne, are you there? "Yes, it is me," Hester Prynne replied She sounded surprised. "It is me, and my little Pearl. Where have you come from, Hester?" he asked. "From Mr Winthrop's death-bed," she said. "I've measured him for his burial clothes, and I am now going home. Come up here, Hester, you and little Pearl,' said the priest. You have both been here before, but I was not with you Come up now, and all three of us shall stand together. Hester silently climbed up the steps and stood on the platform, holding Pearl's hand. The priest found and held the child's other hand, and immediately felt a warm, strong feeling in his heart, filling it with new life.