“Alack a day! an this ye ca’ makin my fortin,” cried Jennet, derisively.  “Much obleeged to ye, sir, boh ey’d leefer be without the luck.”

“Listen to me,” pursued Potts, chuckling, “and I will point out to you a way of escaping the general fate of your family—­not merely of escaping it—­but of acquiring a large reward.  And that is by giving evidence against them—­by telling all you know—­you understand—­eh!”

“Yeigh, ey think ey do onderstond,” replied Jennet, sullenly.  “An so this is your grand scheme, eh, sir?”

“This is my scheme, Jennet,” said Potts, “and a notable scheme it is, my little lass.  Think it over.  You’re an admissible and indeed a desirable witness; for our sagacious sovereign has expressly observed that ‘bairns,’ (I believe you call children ‘bairns’ in Lancashire, Jennet; your uncouth dialect very much resembles the Scottish language, in which our learned monarch writes as well as speaks)—­’bairns,’ says he, ’or wives, or never so defamed persons, may of our law serve for sufficient witnesses and proofs; for who but witches can be proofs, and so witnesses of the doings of witches.’”

“Boh, ey am neaw witch, ey tell ye, mon,” cried Jennet, angrily.

“But you’re a witch’s bairn, my little lassy,” replied Potts, “and that’s just as bad, and you’ll grow up to be a witch in due time—­that is, if your career be not cut short.  I’m sure you must have witnessed some strange things when you visited your grandmother at Malkin Tower—­that, if I mistake not, is the name of her abode?—­and a fearful and witch-like name it is;—­you must have heard frequent mutterings and curses, spells, charms, and diabolical incantations—­beheld strange and monstrous visions—­listened to threats uttered against people who have afterwards perished unaccountably.”

“Ey’ve heerd an seen nowt o’t sort,” replied Jennet; “boh ey’ han heerd my mother threaten yo.”

“Ah, indeed,” cried Potts, forcing a laugh, but looking rather blank afterwards; “and how did she threaten me, Jennet, eh?—­But no matter.  Let that pass for the moment.  As I was saying, you must have seen mysterious proceedings both at Malkin Tower and your own house.  A black gentleman with a club foot must visit you occasionally, and your mother must, now and then—­say once a week—­take a fancy to riding on a broomstick.  Are you quite sure you have never ridden on one yourself, Jennet, and got whisked up the chimney without being aware of it?  It’s the common witch conveyance, and said to be very expeditious and agreeable—­but I can’t vouch for it myself—­ha! ha!  Possibly—­though you are rather young—­but possibly, I say, you may have attended a witch’s Sabbath, and seen a huge He-Goat, with four horns on his head, and a large tail, seated in the midst of a large circle of devoted admirers.  If you have seen this, and can recollect the names and faces of the assembly, it would be highly important.”

“When ey see it, ey shanna forget it,” replied Jennet.  “Boh ey am nah quite so familiar wi’ Owd Scrat os yo seem to suppose.”