Ernie Davis

...

what we are doing , and he tells Elizabeth that Abigail had sworn her dancing had nothing to do

with witchcraft. Elizabeth wants him to testify that are accusations are a shame.

When I returned home, I gave Elizabeth a doll that I sewed in court, saying that it is

a gift. It really was a set up for Abigail. Ezekiel Cheever and Herrick, the town marshal, arrive

with a warrant for Elizabeth’s arrest. Elizabeth was not charged with anything. Cheever asks if

Elizabeth owns any dolls, and Elizabeth replies that she has not owned dolls since she was a girl.

Cheever spies the doll I gave her. He finds a needle inside it. Cheever says that Abigail had a fit

at dinner in Parris’s house that evening. Parris found a needle in her stomach and Abigail

accused Elizabeth of witchcraft. Elizabeth brings me downstairs. I informs them that she made

the doll while in court and stuck the needle in it herself.

[pic 5]

The accusations are getting more obscene by the day. Young children are being accused

even elderly who couldn’t hurt a stick are said to have sent their spirit out to wreak

vengeance on the people of Salem. I’m forced to faint and to claim that I see familiar spirits of

those on trial. I don’t want to do this anymore condemning people who are guilty of being

innocent. I can put an end to it all now, but Abby and the others would never have it they would

turn on me in the last heartbeat of a hanging accused. I saw Abby looking down at it and her

brows furrowed as if in deep thought, but in any case I tucked the needle away for safe keeping

as soon as I heard Goody Proctor’s name mentioned as a suspected witch. I did what was

necessary and protected her from the harsh bitterness of the rest of the girls.

It’s ridiculous now, people like Rebecca Nurse and Goody Proctor are being accused, honest,

respected people of the community. Is there no end? I must end it. But I fear Abby and what she

might do to me if I told.

When I came home today Mr. Proctor threatened to whip me for disobeying him and returning to

Salem for the trials. I cried out in a desperate voice to spare me for I spared Goody Proctor. He

seemed to be shocked as I would as well if I found that someone so close to me might be taken

away in cold chains. I must lie to him about Goody Osborn sending her spirit to kill me but I’ll

lie not about protecting Goody Proctor. She’s a step below a saint she is. Goody Proctor seems

semi comforted when I give her the poppet I made for her during court. I did head to my room

after Mr. Proctor and I exchanged some strong words about me being old enough to make

decisions of my own. If I can why can I not make the decision to end the witch trials.

Judge Danforth summoned Abby and the others by the looks on their faces they seem not

to be pleased with me. Judge Danforth questions Abby about the accusations, of course she said

they were all true, that all tried to send their spirits to do harm unto others. I want her to tell the

truth, I want her to stop this, to end this selfish scheme to win Mr. Proctor. She did this all for

herself! It was never in the best interest of everyone but only for herself. Pretense it were all

pretense.

[pic 6]

Suddenly she claims that I attack her. She turned on me and like a game the other girls

follow her lead. I knew this would happen...I should have kept quiet. Abby will kill me now! She

will seek revenge on me. She will cut my throat in the dead of night just like she said she would.

Mr. Proctor saves me from my fear and he finally confesses that he committed adultery with her

and Goody Proctor is brought in to confirm it, but being the good woman she is she saves her

husbands name.

Abby starts with it again claiming that a yellow bird, my spirit, wants to claw her face. I

send no spirits out to no body she’s lying again! The girls follow once again repeating word after

word that leaves my mouth. Judge Danforth tells me I will hang if I don’t confess to witchcraft.

What am I to do? The girls run screaming through the village claiming that I’m

out for blood and as much as I began plead it is all for naught. God condemns liars then I shall

be condemned.

As Elizabeth is led away, Proctor loses his temper and rips the warrant. He asks Hale why the

accuser is always considered innocent. Hale appears less and less certain of the accusations of

witchcraft. Proctor tells that i have to testify in court that i made the doll and put the

needle in it. I declares that Abigail will kill me if i do and that Abigail would only

charge him with