Quote Meaning/Meaning“The magistrates are God-fearing gentlemen, but too merciful,—that is a truth,” added a third autumnal matron. at least they should have put the mark of a hot iron on Hester Prynne's forehead. Mrs. Hester would have winced at this, I guarantee. But to her, - the bad baggage, - it will matter little what they put on the bodice of her dress! For, look, he might cover it with a brooch, or something like a pagan ornament, and so walk the streets braver than ever! " - Chapter 2, paragraph 5 According to the matron, she thinks that being publicly shamed is a little too merciful. Although this particular woman does not advocate for Hester's execution, another woman does. She also says that Hester wouldn't care not even a bit what they would put on her dress and that she would be brave, walking around town with absolutely little/no shame "Ah, but," interrupted, more softly, a young wife, holding the hand of a child. “let her cover the mark as she will, the pain will always be in her heart.”- Chapter 2, paragraph 5-6 Not everyone in the crowd wants to see Hester burn at the stake who hardly cares what happens to her in public. After a moment, however, judging wisely that one sign of her shame would do little to hide another, she took the child on her arm, and, with a burning bluish smile. and yet haughtily, and a look that did not want to be embarrassed, he looked at his fellow citizens and his neighbors. On the breast of his robe, of fine red cloth, surrounded by elaborate embroidery and fantastic flourishes of gold thread, appeared the letter A.- Chapter 2, paragraph 10 At this moment, the Puritan city is surrounded.... .. middle of the card... danger of death and infamy and the inscrutable machinations of an enemy; that, finally, to this poor pilgrim, on his dark and deserted path, weak, sick, miserable, there appeared a glimmer of affection and human sympathy, a new and true life, in exchange for the heavy sentence that had cost him. now atoning.- Chapter 18, paragraph 4 At this point in the book, Arthur is deciding whether or not he wants to run away with Hester. It's a close call, but he decides to stay in the community, living with his guilt. "Does he love us?" said Pearl, looking with keen intelligence into her mother's face. "Will he come back with us, hand in hand, the three of us together, to the city?" - Chapter 19, paragraph 33 Pearl wonders whether Arthur (her father) loves them or not. She wants to think of him as a father figure and have him in her life, living with them like family.