_Nancy._ Perchance you could pry up the hook of the jail door with
the old knife. It will be dark to-night. There is no moon until
three o'clock in the morning.

_Olive._ Paul, think you not that my father's sons-in-law might do
somewhat? They are men of influence. Their wives are but my
half-sisters, but they are his own daughters. I marvel they have not
come to me since this trouble.

_Paul._ Olive, his sons-in-law have sent in their written testimony
against him and your mother.

_Olive._ Paul, it cannot be so!

_Paul._ They have surely so testified. There is no help to be had
from them. I have a plan.

_Olive._ All is useless, Paul. His sons-in-law, his own daughters'
husbands, have turned against him! There is no help anywhere. My
mother will soon be hanged. Minister Parris said so last night when
he came. And he knelt yonder and prayed that I might no longer
practise witchcraft. My father and mother are lost, and I have
brought it upon them. Talk no more to me, Paul.

_Paul._ Then, perchance your mother be a witch, Olive Corey.

_Olive._ My mother is not a witch.

_Paul._ Doth not Minister Parris say so? And if he speak truth when
he calls you a witch, why speaks he not truth of your mother also? I