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?