Giles Corey, Yeoman | Page 7

Parris. I suspect there be verily evil work in the cape, and a witch's
bodkin hath pierced these cunning eyelets. It goeth so fast now that
erelong every guileless, senseless thing in our houses, down to the
tinder-box and the candle-stick, will find hinges and turn into a gate,
whereby witchcraft can enter. You say, Widow Hutchins, that Olive
Corey gave this cape to your daughter?
Hutchins. That did she. Yesterday evening Ann went down to Goody
Corey's house for a little chat; she and Olive have been gossips ever
since they were children, though lately there hath been somewhat of
bitterness betwixt them.
Parris. How mean you?
Hutchins. I have laid it upon my mind ere now to tell you, being much
wrought up concerning it, and thinking that you might give me
somewhat of spiritual consolation and advice. It was in this wise. Paul
Bayley, who, they say, goeth every Sabbath night to Goody Corey's
house and sitteth up until unseemly hours with Olive, looked once with
a favorable eye upon my daughter Ann. Had your worships seen him,

as I saw him one day in the meeting-house, look at Ann when she wore
her green paduasoy, you had not doubted. Youths look not thus upon
maidens unless they be inclined toward them. But this hussy Olive
Corey did come between Paul and my Ann, and that not of her own
merits. There is nobody in Salem Village who would say that Olive
Corey's looks be aught in comparison with my Ann's, but I trow Goody
Corey hath arts which make amends for lack of beauty. I trow all
ill-favored folk might be fair would they have such arts used upon
them.
Hathorne. What mean you by that saying?
Hutchins. I mean Goody Corey hath devilish arts whereby she giveth
her daughter a beauty beyond her own looks, wherewith she may entice
young men.
Hathorne. You say that this cape caused your daughter torment?
Hutchins. Your worships, it lay on her neck like a fire-brand, and she
thought she should die ere she cast it off.
Hathorne. Widow Hutchins, will you now put on the cape?
Hutchins. Oh, your worship, I dare not put it on! I fear it will be the
death of me if I do.
Hathorne. Minister Parris, wilt thou put on the cape?
Parris. Good Master Hathorne, it would ill behoove a minister of the
gospel to put himself in jeopardy when so many be depending upon
him to lead them in this dreadful conflict with the powers of darkness.
But do thou put on the mantle the while I go to prayer to avert any ill
that may come of it.
Hathorne. Nay, I will make no such jest of my office of magistrate as
to put this woman's gear on my shoulders. I doubt if there be aught in it.
Prithee, Widow Hutchins, when did this torment first come upon the
young woman?

Hutchins. Your worship, she went, as I have said, to Goody Corey's
yester-evening to have a little chat with her gossip, Olive, and Paul
Bayley came in also, and some of them did talk strangely about this
witchcraft, Olive and Goody Corey nodding and winking, and making
light of it. And then when Ann said she must be home, Paul rose
quickly and made as though he would go with her, but Goody Corey
would not let him, and herself went with Ann. And she did practise her
devilish arts upon my poor child all the way home, and when my poor
child got on the door-stone she burst open the door, and came in as
though all the witches were after her, and she hath not been herself
since. She hath ever since been grievously tormented, being set upon
now by Goody Corey, and now by Olive, being choked and twisted
about until I thought she would die, and so I fear she will, unless they
be speedily put in chains. It seemeth flesh and blood cannot endure it.
Mercy Lewis is just come in, and she saw Goody Corey and Olive upon
her when she opened the door.
Hathorne. This evil work must be stopped at all hazards, and this
monstrous brood of witches gotten out of the land.
Parris. Yea, verily, although we have to reach under the covenant for
them. [Screams.
Hutchins. Oh, your worships, my poor child will have no peace until
they be chained in prison.
Hathorne. They shall be chained in prison before the sun sets. I will at
once go forth and issue warrants for the arrest of Martha Corey and her
daughter. [_More violent screams and loud voices overhead._
Parris. Would it not be well, good Master Hathorne, for us to see the
afflicted maid before we depart?
Hutchins. Oh, I pray