In The Scarlet Letter how many years does Hester wear The Scarlet Letter?

she wears it for about 7 years...in the beginning when Pearl was a baby until the point where Pearl is 7 years old and she takes it off when she is hugging Dimmesdale in the forest.

she wears it for about 7 years...in the beginning when Pearl was a baby until the point where Pearl is 7 years old and she takes it off when she is hugging Dimmesdale in the forest.

The above is wrong. Its longer than seven years, While in the forest with Dimmesdale, Hester throws it by the brook, but Pearl does not listen to her mother until she puts it back on. After Dimmesdale dies Hester keeps the scarlet letter on to show her love for Dimmesdale.