The narrator says that, despite the fact that many of Mr. Hooper's parishioners are "busybodies and impertinent people" who would normally not hesitate to ask questions, none of them were willing to address him on the subject of the veil. So, they send a committee or "deputation of the church" in order to find out why he wears the veil. However, when the committee arrives at Mr. Hooper's home, they find that they cannot broach the subject: "that piece of crape, to their imagination, seemed to hang down before his heart, the symbol of a fearful secret between him and them." They felt that if he would take the veil off, they could address it; however, as long as he wears it, they cannot. It sounds as though they all sit together, in awkward silence, until they finally give up and return to their congregation to tell them that the issue would need to be handled by a formal meeting of church elders.
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