Giles Corey, Yeoman | Page 2

was it, Ann?

Ann. I know not; something black that hustled quickly by me and raised
a cold wind.
Phoebe. Oh, oh!
Olive. 'Twas a cat or a dog, and your own fear raised the cold wind.
Think no more of it, Ann. Wait a moment while I go to the north room.
I have something to show you. [Exit Olive _with a candle._
Phoebe. What said the black thing to you, Ann?
Ann. I know not.
Nancy. Said it not: "Serve me; serve me?"
Ann. I know not. I was deaf with fear.
Phoebe. Oh, Ann, did it have horns?
Ann. I tell you I know not. You pester me, child.
Phoebe. Did it have hoofs and a tail?
Ann. Be quiet, I tell you, or I'll cuff your ears.
Nancy. She needn't be so topping. It will be laying in wait for her when
she goes home. I'll warrant it won't let her off so easy.
Enter Olive, _bringing an embroidered muslin cape. She puts it gently
over Ann's shoulders._
Ann (throwing it off violently). Oh! oh! Take it away! take it away!
Olive. Why, Ann, what ails you?
Ann. Take it away, I say! What mean you by your cursed arts?
Olive. Why, Ann! I have been saving a long time to buy it for you. 'Tis
like my last summer's cape that you fancied so much. I sent by father to

Boston for it.
Ann. I need it not.
Olive. I thought 'twould suit well with your green gown.
Ann. 'Twill suit well enough with a green gown, but not with a sore
heart.
Nancy. I miss my guess but it 'll suit well enough with her heart too. I
trow that's as green as her gown; green's the jealous color.
Olive. You be all unstrung by your walk hither through the wood, Ann.
I'll fold the cape up nicely for you, and you can take it when you go
home. And mind you wear it next Sabbath day, sweet. Now I must to
my wheel again, or I shall not finish my stint by nine o'clock.
Ann. Your looks show that you were up later than nine o'clock last
night.
Phoebe. Oh, Ann, did you see the light in the fore room?
Ann. That did I. I stood at my chamber and saw it shine through the
wood.
Nancy. You couldn't see so far without spectacles.
Ann. It blinded me. I could get no sleep.
Nancy. You think your eyes are mighty sharp. Maybe your ears are too?
Maybe you heard 'em kissing at the door when he went home?
Olive. Nancy, be quiet!
Nancy. You needn't color up and shake your head at me, Olive. They
stood kissing there nigh an hour, and he with his arm round her waist,
and she with hers round his neck. They'd kiss, then they'd eye each
other and kiss again. I know I woke up and thought 'twas Injuns, and I
peeked out of my chamber window. Such doings! You'd ought to have

seen 'em, Ann.
Phoebe. Oh, Nancy, why didn't you wake me up?
Olive. Nancy, I'll have no more of this.
Nancy. That's what she ought to have said last night--hadn't she, Ann?
But she didn't. Oh, I'll warrant she didn't! I know you would, Ann.
Olive. Nancy! [A noise is heard outside.
Phoebe. Oh, what's that noise? What is coming?
Enter Giles Corey, _panting. He flings the door to violently and slips
the bolt._
Nancy. Massy! what's after ye?
Phoebe. Oh, Uncle Corey, what's the matter?
Giles. The matter is there be too many evil things abroad nowadays for
a man to be out after nightfall. When things that can be hit by musket
balls lay in wait, old Giles Corey is as brave as any man; but when it
comes to devilish black beasts and black men that musket balls bound
back from--What! you here, Ann Hutchins? What be you out after dark
for?
Ann. I came over to see Olive, Goodman Corey.
Giles. You'd best stayed by your own hearth if you've got one. Young
women have no call to be out gadding after dark in these times.
Phoebe. Oh, Uncle Corey, something did frighten Ann as she came
through the wood. A black beast, with horns and a tail and eyes like
balls of fire, jumped out of the bushes at her, and bade her sign the
book in a dreadful voice.
Giles. What! Was't so, Ann?

Ann. I know not. There was something.
Olive (laughing). 'Twas naught but Ann's own shadow that her fear
gave a voice and a touch to. Say naught to frighten Ann, father; she is
the most timorous maid in Salem Village now.
Giles. There is some wisdom in fear nowadays. You make too light of
it, lass.
Olive (laughing).