What is the current relationship between Hester and Pearl?

Pearl is a very perceptive child and is observant as well. Pearl is open and playful, pretending to be a mermaid and putting a green A on her chest. Hester does not relish explaining all that she must to Pearl about the A and its origins. However, Pearl is so intuitive that she somehow connects the A to the minister. This upsets Hester and she tries to avoid talking to Pearl about him, even though she does try to explain the symbolism of Hester's A.