midnight
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 .