Many spread their clasped hands on their bosoms . There was nothing terrible in what Mr. Hooper said -- at least , no violence ; and yet with every tremor of his melancholy voice the hearers quaked . An unsought pathos came hand in hand with awe . So sensible were the audience of some unwonted attribute in their minister that they longed for a breath of wind to blow aside the veil , almost believing that a stranger 's visage would be discovered , though the form , gesture and voice were those of Mr. Hooper . At the close of the services the people hurried out with indecorous confusion , eager to communicate their pent-up amazement , and conscious of lighter spirits the moment they lost sight of the black veil . Some gathered in little circles , huddled closely together , with their mouths all whispering in the centre ; some went homeward alone , wrapped in silent meditation ; some talked loudly and profaned the Sabbath-day with ostentatious laughter . A few shook their sagacious heads , intimating that they could penetrate the mystery , while one or two affirmed that there was no mystery at all , but only that Mr. Hooper 's eyes were so weakened by the midnight lamp as to require a shade . After a brief interval forth came good Mr. Hooper also , in the rear of his flock . Turning his veiled face from one group to another , he paid due reverence to the hoary heads , saluted the middle-aged with kind dignity as their friend and spiritual guide , greeted the young with mingled authority and love , and laid his hands on the little children 's heads to bless them . 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 XXXXX him for the world .
After as for like of on over upon while with