Giles Corey, Yeoman | Page 5

pine wood,
with a summer tree in every room, and fine panel-work in the doors and
around the chimbleys.
Olive. Nay, Paul, not too fine panel-work; 'twill cost too high.
Paul. Cupboards in every room, and fine-laid white floors.
Olive. We need a cupboard in the living-room only, but I have learned
to sand a floor in a rare pattern. [Paul _attempts to embrace Olive. She
repulses him._
Paul. I trow you are full provident of favors and pence, Olive.

Olive. I would save them for thee, Paul.
Paul. And thou shalt not be hindered by me to any harm, sweetheart.
Was't thy mother taught thee such wisdom, or thine own self, Olive?
Olive. 'Twas my mother.
Paul. Nay, 'twas thine own heart; that shall teach me, too. [Nine-o'clock
bell rings.
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?
Phoebe. I fear I know not any other who has angered me, and I could
weep for 't. Stay! I'll afflict Ann, because she hath the cape; and I'll

afflict Paul Bayley, because I'm drove forth from the fore room Sabbath
nights when he comes a-courting; and I'll afflict Minister Parris,
because he put me too hard a question from the catechism; that makes
three more. Oh, 'tis rare sport! (_Seizes the doll and sticks in three
pins._) This pin be for Ann, this pin be for Paul, and this pin be for
Minister Parris. Deary me, I can think of no more! What next, Nancy?
Nancy. I'll do some witchcraft now. I desire to afflict your aunt Corey,
because she doth drive me hither and thither like a child, and sets no
value on my understanding; Olive, because she made a jest of me; and
Goody Bishop, because she hath a fine silk hood.
Phoebe. Here is the doll, Nancy.
Nancy. Nay, I have another way, which you be too young to understand.
[Nancy _takes the candle, goes to the fireplace, and courtesies three
times, looking up the chimney._
Nancy. Hey, black cat! hey, my pretty black cat! Go ye and sit on
Goody Corey's breast, and claw her if she stirs. Do as