20 read the passage from “the minister’s black veil.” this scene describes the minister’s return to the pulpit after putting on the black veil. how did his sermon affect his hearers (referred to as “auditors” in the passage)? from “the minister’s black veil” mr. hooper had the reputation of a good preacher, but not an energetic one: he strove to win his people heavenward by mild, persuasive influences, rather than to drive them thither by the thunders of the word. the sermon which he now delivered was marked by the same characteristics of style and manner as the general series of his pulpit oratory. but there was something, either in the sentiment of the discourse itself, or in the imagination of the auditors, which made it greatly the most powerful effort that they had ever heard from their pastor’s lips. a. they were deeply moved. b. they were saddened. c. they were amused. d. they were bored.