When her term of imprisonment was over, Hester did not leave the town. She lived with her child in a small thatched cottage on the edge of the peninsula, and earned her bread by her needle. Her embroidery was so fine that it was worn by the governor on public occasions, yet never on a bridal veil. In all her dealings with society there was nothing that made her feel as if she belonged to it. She named the child Pearl, as being of great price, purchased with all she had, her mother's only treasure. Pearl was beautiful and wild, and her mother often saw in her the scarlet letter endowed with life. When Governor Bellingham wanted to take the child away from her, Hester turned to Dimmesdale. Speak thou for me, she cried. Thou knowest what is in my heart. The minister, pale, with his hand over his heart, persuaded the governor to leave Pearl with her mother.