Olive. Oh, ’tis nine o’clock, and ’tis not a courting night.  Paul, be off; thou must! [They jump up and go to the door.

Paul (putting his arm around Olive).  Give me but one kiss, Olive, albeit not a courting night, for good speed on my homeward walk and my to-morrow’s journey.

Olive. Where go you to-morrow, Paul?

Paul. To Boston, for a week’s time or more.

Olive. Oh, Paul, there may be Injuns on the Boston path!  Thou wilt be wary?

Paul (laughing).  Have no fear for me, sweetheart.  I shall have my musket.

Olive. A week?

Paul. ’Tis a short time, but long enough to need sweetening with a kiss when folk are absent from one another.

Olive (kisses him).  Oh, be careful, Paul!

Paul. Fear not for me, sweetheart, but do thou too be careful, for sometimes danger sneaks at home, when we flee it abroad.  Keep away from this witchcraft folly.  Good-by, sweetheart. [They part. Olive sets a candle in the window after Paul’s exit.  Nine-o’clock bell still rings as curtain falls.

Scene II.—­Twelve o’clock at night.  Living-room at Giles Corey’s house, lighted only by the moon and low fire-light.  Enter Nancy Fox with a candle, Phoebe following with a large rag doll. Nancy sets the candle on the dresser.

Nancy. Be ye sure that Goody Corey is asleep, and Goodman Corey?

Phoebe (dances across to the door, which she opens slightly, and listens).  They be both a-snoring.  Hasten and begin, I pray you, Nancy.

Nancy. And Olive?

Phoebe. She is asleep, and she is in the south chamber, and could not hear were she awake.  Here is my doll.  Now show me how to be a witch.  Quick, Nancy!

Nancy. Whom do you desire to afflict?

Phoebe (considers).  Let me see.  I will afflict Uncle Corey, because he brought me naught from Boston to-day; Olive, because she gave that cape to Ann instead of me; and Aunt Corey, because she set me such a long stint, because she would not let me eat an apple to-night, and because she sent me to bed.  I want to stick one pin into Uncle Corey, one into Olive, and three into Aunt Corey.

Nancy. Take the doll, prick it as you will, and say who the pricks be for. [Phoebe sticks a pin into the doll.

Phoebe. This pin be for Uncle Corey, and this pin be for Olive, and this pin for Aunt Corey, and this pin for Aunt Corey, and this pin for Aunt Corey.  Pins! pins!! pins!!! (Dances.) In truth, Nancy, ’tis rare sport being a witch; but I stuck not in the pins very far, lest they be too sorely hurt.

Nancy. Is there any other whom you desire to afflict?