When the church sends a delegation to talk to Mr. Hooper, the 'deputation' are so intimidated by the awe-inspiring spectacle of their preacher in a black veil, that nothing of any substance is accomplished. None of the church members dare to bring up the subject of their minister's veil when they come before him. The minister knows why they are there but does not venture to make the task easier for his constituents; he neither prompts them nor invites them to confide their concerns to him. The delegation members think that it would have been far easier to address the issue if the minister had not been wearing the veil. As far as they can see, his veil symbolizes an impediment to honest discourse.
They find their courage shrinking as they sit before him in a confused daze. The veil seems to speak of a chasm between their minister's heart and theirs. With a healthy amount of superstitious dread, they eventually decide that it would be far better to send higher church officials to deal with the minister himself. Accordingly, they return to the congregation and pronounce the matter beyond their power to remedy.
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