The Scarlet Letter (Ch 7-8)

In these chapters, Hester makes a visit to Reverend Dimmesdale. She is there to deliver a pair of gloves she made for him, and to talk to him about rumors. She has heard that they are going to try to take Pearl from her, and she wants to prevent it. The reverends decide to test Pearl on her knowledge of God, and she fails. She says that she has no heavenly father and the reverends tell Hester that Pearl needs to be taken from her for the best. Hester becomes irate and Reverend Dimmesdale steps in. He tells them that Pearl is to stay with Hester because God sent her to this world in Hester's care so it was meant to be that way. Hester is pleased to see that someone stands up for her.
As Hester exits the Governor's Hall, Mistress Hibbins calls out to her, asking if she would like to attend a witch's gathering. Hester replys that she would, but she has to take care of Pearl, so she says no thanks.