What explanation does Mr. Hooper give Elizabeth as to why he refuses to remove his veil in "The Minister's Black Veil"?

When his
fianc©e Elizabeth asks Mr. Hooper to remove his veil because there may be "whispers"
that he hides "under the consciousness of secret sin" rather than the "type of an
innocent sorrow," as he claims, the minister smiles a sad, obscure smile and
responds,

"There is an hour to come," said he,
"when all of us shall cast aside our veils. Take it not amiss, beloved friend, if I wear
this piece of crape till then."

Refusing to remove
his mask until others remove their figurative masks and become honest about their sins, Mr.
Hooper seems committed to getting people to acknowledge their humanity and their faults, a true
challenge for Puritans for whom such exposure can lead to condemnation as they may be thought of
as among the Unregenerate. No matter whatever his true intent is, Mr. Hooper clearly wishes to
teach a moral lesson by wearing the black veil as a symbol that each man and woman can interpret
according to their own consciences.
His act is certainly an honorable one as he is
willing to be ostracized by members of the community who become uncomfortable when they cannot
read what is on his own face and fear what he may know.