On a nearer view it seemed to consist of two folds of crape , which entirely concealed his features except the mouth and chin , but probably did not intercept his sight further than to give a darkened aspect to all living and inanimate things . With this gloomy shade before him good Mr. Hooper walked onward at a slow and quiet pace , stooping somewhat and looking on the ground , as is customary with abstracted men , yet nodding kindly to those of his parishioners who still waited on the meeting-house steps . But so wonder-struck were they that his greeting hardly met with a return . `` I ca n't really feel as if good Mr. Hooper 's face was behind that piece of crape , '' said the sexton . `` I do n't like it , '' muttered an old woman as she hobbled into the meeting-house . `` He has changed himself into something awful only by hiding his face . '' `` Our parson has gone mad ! '' cried Goodman Gray , following him across the threshold . A rumor of some unaccountable phenomenon had preceded Mr. Hooper into the meeting-house and set all the congregation astir . Few could refrain from twisting their heads toward the door ; many stood upright and turned directly about ; while several little boys clambered upon the seats , and came down again with a terrible racket . There was a general bustle , a rustling of the women 's gowns and shuffling of the men 's feet , greatly at variance with that hushed repose which should attend the entrance of the minister . But Mr. Hooper appeared not to notice the perturbation of his people . He entered with an almost noiseless step , bent his head mildly to the pews on each side and bowed as he passed his oldest parishioner , a white-haired great-grandsire , who occupied an arm-chair in the centre of the aisle . It was strange to observe how slowly this venerable man became conscious of something singular in the appearance of his pastor . He seemed not fully to partake of the prevailing wonder till Mr. Hooper had ascended the stairs and showed himself in the pulpit , face to face with his congregation except for the black veil . That mysterious emblem was never once withdrawn . It shook with his measured breath as he gave out the psalm , it threw its obscurity between him and the holy page as he read the Scriptures , and while he prayed the veil lay heavily on his uplifted countenance . Did he seek to hide it from the dread Being whom he was addressing ? Such was the effect of this simple piece of crape that more than one woman of delicate nerves was forced to leave the meeting-house . Yet perhaps the pale-faced congregation was almost as fearful a sight to the minister as his black veil to them .
Mr. Hooper had the reputation of a good preacher , but not an energetic one : he strove to win his people heavenward XXXXX mild , persuasive influences rather than to drive them thither by the thunders of the word .
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