Hester waits to honestly speak with Dimmesdale in the forest on his return to Boston
On the way through the forest, Pearl notices sunshine avoiding her in a sense
This forest is where the the devil is said to be, and where Mistress Hibbins does witchcraft
Pearl & Sunshine
“Mother,” said little Pearl, “the sunshine does not love you. It runs away and hides itself, because it is afraid
of something on your bosom. . . . It will not flee from me; for I wear nothing on my bosom yet!”
Pearl says to Hester that the sunshine does not shine on her because of the scarlet "A"
However, she says it shines on her because she doesn't wear anything on her chest
The Devil
Pearl is fascinated about the "Black Man" and asks Hester about him
She was told by an old woman about Hester's "A" being the "mark of the Black Man"
Hester confirms this lie behind the "A" to cover up her sin
Pearl believes she will get the scarlet "A" after she matures
When Dimmesdale appears out of the forest, Pearl asks if he is the "Black Man"
Hester exclaims that he is not
Pearl connects Dimmesdale and Hester again, believing that the "Black Man" has left his mark on Dimmesdale's chest as well