When Dimmesdale met Pearl and Hester at night, she asked him to appear with her and her mother in the daytime. She says, "but wilt thou promise..to take my hand, and my mother's hand to-morrow noontide" (196). The readers understand Dimmesdale's refusal to meet in the daytime as relating to his fear of exposing his secret to the public. When it is dark,at night, secrets can best be kept. That is why there is more violence and crime at night. "Day" represents the truth, because everything is opened for all to see. Dimmesdale himself said "Not then, Pearl...but another time..at the great judgement day"(196). This statement is significant to the readers showing that Dimmesdale does not plan to reveal his secret until after he is dead. He will then be forced to give a full confession of his sin.