Such was always his custom on the Sabbath-day . Strange and bewildered looks repaid him for his courtesy . None , as on former occasions , aspired to the honor of walking by their pastor 's side . Old Squire Saunders -- doubtless by an accidental lapse of memory -- neglected to invite Mr. Hooper to his table , where the good clergyman had been wont to bless the food almost every Sunday since his settlement . He returned , therefore , to the parsonage , and at the moment of closing the door was observed to look back upon the people , all of whom had their eyes fixed upon the minister . A sad smile gleamed faintly from beneath the black veil and flickered about his mouth , glimmering as he disappeared . `` How strange , '' said a lady , `` that a simple black veil , such as any woman might wear on her bonnet , should become such a terrible thing on Mr. Hooper 's face ! '' `` Something must surely be amiss with Mr. Hooper 's intellects , '' observed her husband , the physician of the village . `` But the strangest part of the affair is the effect of this vagary even on a sober-minded man like myself . The black veil , though it covers only our pastor 's face , throws its influence over his whole person and makes him ghost-like from head to foot . Do you not feel it so ? '' `` Truly do I , '' replied the lady ; `` and I would not be alone with him for the world . I wonder he is not afraid to be alone with himself . '' `` Men sometimes are so , '' said her husband . The afternoon service was attended with similar circumstances . At its conclusion the bell tolled for the funeral of a young lady . The relatives and friends were assembled in the house and the more distant acquaintances stood about the door , speaking of the good qualities of the deceased , when their talk was interrupted by the appearance of Mr. Hooper , still covered with his black veil . It was now an appropriate emblem . The clergyman stepped into the room where the corpse was laid , and bent over the coffin to take a last farewell of his deceased parishioner . As he stooped the veil hung straight down from his forehead , so that , if her eye-lids had not been closed for ever , the dead maiden might have seen his face .
Could Mr. Hooper be fearful XXXXX her glance , that he so hastily caught back the black veil ?
as by for in into of over that though to