Summary

In Chapter 38, members of the Congregation heatedly debate the issue. Some want to “exterminate” Matthew and all his offspring immediately. Some refuse to intervene for other reasons. Eventually, Diana reveals the Book of Life and pushes up her sleeves to show the words swirling on her skin. Some want to kill the twins, saying they will be “monsters, beyond reason or control” (505). A witch named Janet Gowdie interrupts, saying her grandmother was the child of a weaver witch and a vampire, and confirms it was Benjamin. Her grandmother, part witch and part vampire, lived 250 years. Janet is 170. Someone asked what a weaver is and Diana said they are powerful witches who are often killed out of fear. The reaction when Janet makes her announcement prompts Diana to point out that even the people in this room express fear and disgust of “anybody who...