it_ 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 'tis
witchcraft, Nancy?

_Nancy._ I know 'tis. 'Tis Goody Bishop in her fine silk hood
afflicts me. Oh, massy!

_Phoebe._ There, you are up, Nancy.

_Nancy._ I ain't half undoubled.

_Phoebe._ You can walk so, can't you, Nancy? Oh, come, quick! I
think I hear somebody on the stairs. (_Catches up her doll and
seizes_ Nancy's _hand._) Quick! quick!

_Nancy._ I tell ye I can't go quick; I ain't undoubled enough.
Devil take Goody Bishop!

[_Exit, hobbling and bent almost double,_ Phoebe _urging her along.
Curtain falls._

Act III.

_The Meeting-house in Salem Village. Enter_ People of Salem Village
_and take seats. The_ Afflicted Girls, _among whom are_ Ann Hutchins
_and_ Mercy Lewis, _occupy the front seats._ Nancy Fox _and_
Phoebe. _Enter the magistrates_ John Hathorne _and_ Jonathan Corwin
_with_ Minister Parris, _escorted by the_ Marshal, Aids, _and four_
Constables. _They place themselves at a long table in front of the
pulpit._

_Hathorne_ (_rising_). We are now prepared to enter upon the
examination. We invoke the blessing of God upon our proceedings, and
call upon the Marshal to produce the bodies of the accused.

[_Exeunt_ Marshal _and_ Constables. Afflicted Girls _twist about and
groan. Great excitement among the people._

_Enter_ Marshal _and_ Constables _leading_ Martha _and_ Olive Corey
_in chains._ Giles _follows. The prisoners are placed facing the
assembly, with the_ Constables _holding their hands._ Giles _stands
near. The_ Afflicted Girls _