Hutchins. Your worship, she went, as I have said, to Goody Corey’s yester-evening to have a little chat with her gossip, Olive, and Paul Bayley came in also, and some of them did talk strangely about this witchcraft, Olive and Goody Corey nodding and winking, and making light of it.  And then when Ann said she must be home, Paul rose quickly and made as though he would go with her, but Goody Corey would not let him, and herself went with Ann.  And she did practise her devilish arts upon my poor child all the way home, and when my poor child got on the door-stone she burst open the door, and came in as though all the witches were after her, and she hath not been herself since.  She hath ever since been grievously tormented, being set upon now by Goody Corey, and now by Olive, being choked and twisted about until I thought she would die, and so I fear she will, unless they be speedily put in chains.  It seemeth flesh and blood cannot endure it.  Mercy Lewis is just come in, and she saw Goody Corey and Olive upon her when she opened the door.

Hathorne. This evil work must be stopped at all hazards, and this monstrous brood of witches gotten out of the land.

Parris. Yea, verily, although we have to reach under the covenant for them. [Screams.

Hutchins. Oh, your worships, my poor child will have no peace until they be chained in prison.

Hathorne. They shall be chained in prison before the sun sets.  I will at once go forth and issue warrants for the arrest of Martha Corey and her daughter. [More violent screams and loud voices overhead.

Parris. Would it not be well, good Master Hathorne, for us to see the afflicted maid before we depart?

Hutchins. Oh, I pray you, sirs, come up stairs to my poor child’s chamber and see yourselves in what grievous torment she lies.  She hath often called for Minister Parris, saying they dared not so afflict her were he there.

Hathorne. It would perchance be as well.  Lead the way, if you will, Widow Hutchins. [Exeunt.  Screams continue.

Enter Nancy Fox and Phoebe Morse stealthily from other door. Phoebe carries her rag doll.

Nancy. Massy sakes, hear them screeches!

Phoebe (clinging to Nancy).  Oh, Nancy, won’t they catch us too!  I’m afraid!

Nancy. They can’t touch us; we’re witches too.

Phoebe. Massy sakes!  I forgot we were witches.

Nancy. Hear that, will ye?  Ain’t she a-ketchin’ it?

Phoebe. Nancy, do you suppose it’s the pin I stuck in my doll makes Ann screech that way?

Nancy. Most likely ’tis.  Stick in another, and see if she screeches louder.

Phoebe. No, I won’t.  I’ll pull the pin out; ’twas this one in my doll’s arm. (Pulls out pin and flings it on the floor.) I won’t have Ann hurt so bad as that if Olive did give her the cape.  Why don’t she stop screeching now, Nancy?  Oh, Nancy, somebody’s coming!  I hear somebody at the door.  Crawl under the bed—­quick! quick!