The Scarlet Letter (Ch 13-14)

These chapters skip a few years. Pearl is now seven years old. Hester is a completely different woman now. She is always giving and giving. She is constantly working with the homeless, giving them food and medicine to help them survive. She has renamed her reputation in the town of Boston from Adultery to Able. Along with being so courteous, Hester's physical self has also changed. On the negative side, she is much less lady-like. She cuts her hair often, or wears a hat to hide it, her clothes are less dressy, and she is losing her beauty. However, "the letter had not done its office." The law feel as though Hester has not taken the letter to the level of punishment as they feel she should have. They want people to learn from Hester, but the people are now beginning to see good in her.
One day, Hester and Pearl go to a creek and find Roger Chillingworth there. His features have also changed significantly. Hester believes that it is the evil taking over him, making him old and hunchbacked. Hester begins to feel anger toward Chillingworth, and tells him that she is going to reveal his identity. Then, she lets him be.