Giles Corey, Yeoman | Page 8

lifting. Quick! quick! I'll push you. No; I'll pull you. Here!
[Pulls Nancy _down upon the floor, and rolls her under the bed; gets under herself just as the door is pushed open._
Enter Giles Corey in great excitement.
Giles (_running across the room, and listening at the door leading to the chamber stairs_). Devil take them! why don't they put an end to it? Why do they let the poor lass be set upon this way? Screeching so you can hear her all over Salem Village! There! hear that, will ye? Out upon them! Widow Hutchins! Widow Hutchins! Can't you give her some physic? Sha'n't I come up there with my musket? Why don't they find out who is so tormenting her and chain her up in prison? 'Tis some witch or other. Oh, I'd hang her; I'd tie the rope myself. Poor lass! poor lass! [The door is pushed open, and Giles starts back.
Enter John Hathorne, Minister Parris, and Widow Hutchins.
Giles. Good-day, Widow Hutchins. Shall I go up there with my musket?
Parris. I trow there be too many of thy household up there now.
Giles. I'd lay about me till I hit some of 'em. I'll warrant I would. Oh, the poor lass! hear that!
Parris. She is a grievous case.
Giles. I heard the screeches out in the wood, and I ran in thinking I might do somewhat. I would Martha were here. I'll be bound she'd laugh and scoff at it no longer!
Hathorne. Laugh and scoff, say you?
Giles. That she doth. Martha acts as if the devil were in her about it. She doth nothing but laugh at and make light of the afflicted children, and saith there be no witches. She would not even believe 'twas aught out of the common when our ox and cat were took strangely. If she were herself a witch she could be no more stiff-necked.
Parris. Doth she go out after nightfall?
Giles. That she doth, in spite of all I can say. She hath no fear that an honest gospel woman should have in these times. She went out last night, and I was so angered that I charged her with galloping a broomstick home.
Hathorne. Did she deny it?
Giles. She laughed as she is wont to do. She even made a jest on't, when I could not when I would go to prayer, and the words stayed beyond my wits. I would she could be here now, and hear this!
Parris. Perchance she doth.
Giles. I'll warrant she'd lose somewhat of her stiff-neckedness. Hear that! Can't ye chain up the witch that's tormenting the poor lass! Is't Goody Osborn?
Hathorne. The witch will be chained and in prison before nightfall. Come, Minister Parris, we can do no good by abiding longer here. Methinks we have sufficient testimony.
Parris. Verily the devil hath played into our hands. [_They turn to leave._
Hutchins. Oh, your worships, ye will use good speed for the sake of my poor child.
Giles. Ay, be speedy about it. Put the baggage in prison as soon as may be, and load her down well with irons.
Hathorne. I will strive to obey your commands well, Goodman Corey. Good-day, Widow Hutchins; your daughter shall soon find relief.
Parris. Good-day, Widow Hutchins, and be of good cheer.
[Exeunt Hathorne and Parris, while Widow Hutchins courtesies.
Giles. Well, I must even be going too. I have my cattle to water. I but bolted in when I heard the poor lass screech, thinking I might do somewhat. But good Master Hathorne will see to it. Hear that! Do ye go up to her, widow, and mix her up a bowl of yarb tea, till they put the trollop in prison. I'm off to water my cattle, then devil take me if I don't give the sheriffs a hand if they need it. Goody Osborn's house is nigh mine. Good-day, widow. [Exit Giles.
Hutchins (laughing). Give the sheriffs a hand, will he? Perchance he will, but I doubt me if 'tis not a fisted one. He sets his life by Goody Corey, however he rate her. (_A scream from above of "Mother! Mother!") Yes, Ann, I'm coming, I'm coming! [Exit._
Phoebe (crawls out from under the bed). Now, Nancy, we've got a chance to run. Come out, quick! Oh, if Uncle Corey had caught us here!
Nancy. I can't get out. Oh! oh! The rheumatiz stiffened me so I couldn't double up, and now it has stiffened me so I can't undouble. No, 'tis not rheumatiz, 'tis Goody Bishop has bewitched me. I can't get out.
Phoebe. You must, Nancy, or some body 'll come and catch us. Here, I'll pull you out.
[Tugs at Nancy's arms, and drags her out, groaning.
Nancy. Here I am out, but I can't undouble. I'll have to go home on all-fours like a cat. Oh! oh!
Phoebe. Give me your hands and I'll pull you up. Think you