Why does the governor let Pearl and Hester stay with him?

Thoughis
a firm, unstinting upholder of law and order in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, he's also a fair
man. So whenattempts to intercede with him to preventbeing taken away from her, he hears her
out.

Bellingham is as staunchly committed to the prevailing Puritan value
system as anyone; but crucially, he also believes in doing things by the book. By the standards
of the time, he would've been well within his rights to have ignored Hester's concerns and sent
her packing with a hellfire and brimstone sermon ringing in her ears. That he chooses not to
follow this course of action indicates his fidelity to the law. Above all, this means listening
carefully to whatand Hester have to say concerning the welfare of their child before arriving at
his decision.