"Francis, I'm home," I called out softly into the dark house. I could hear my husband plodding down the stairs as I pushed the heavy front door shut behind me. I reached up to untie my bonnet, and placed it absentmindedly on a piece of furniture as Francis ambled into the room.
"The court proceeds?" he asked, assisting me in removing my wool cloak. I nodded.
"It continues as it must. The girls accused three of witchcraft today." My voice quavered in distress. Francis took me gently by the hand and led me to a chair. I collapsed in exhaustion. "I fear that many more will be condemned to death before this is over."
"Who has been taken?"
"Sarah Good is one, and Goody Osborne another. Tituba will sit in jail for a time, but they say she will go free. She confessed herself, and has repented." I was interrupted by a frantic knocking at our front door.
"I'll see who it is," Francis assured me. "Rest for a moment. You're no good to the court half-dead." He hurried over to the door and pried it open to reveal Reverend Hale, standing in the wind with his cloak swirling about him.
"Come in, sir," Francis exclaimed.
"I hope I did not disturb you," Hale said as he stepped inside, "but I am afraid I must speak with you tonight."
"Of course, sir," I spoke. Rising, I went over to greet him. "Please, have a seat. Would you like anything? Cider, or some tea, perhaps?"
"No, I have other visits to make tonight. I cannot tarry long." I nodded and showed him to the dining table, where the three of us sat. "I have come to better acquaint myself with those whose names have been mentioned in court. I don't suppose you are aware, Goody Nurse, for you left before Goody Putnam arrived, but she has voiced… concerns."
"What kind of concerns, sir?" Francis's voice was stony, and I laid a hand on his arm in a calming gesture.
"Goody Putnam claims that one of the three women who were midwife to her must be a witch, or all three, for she has only had one child survive birth." Francis looked about to speak, but I tightened my grip on his arm and stopped him.
"Reverend Hale, Goody Ann has always looked to superstition as the cause for her unsuccessful pregnancies." I chose to say no more than that.
"Yes, of course. Several people vouched for your Christian character in court, and I can now see that you are a good and righteous woman. I will take my leave. I must visit the Proctors, among others, yet this night."
"The Proctors!" I exclaimed in shock. "Surely John and Elizabeth are not accused."
"Goody Proctor is mentioned. I go to determine the Christian character of their household."
"The Proctors are good people, sir. You will find no flaws in their religion," I asserted.
"Let us hope that you are right, Goody Nurse. Good night, then." Hale turned and left the house as quickly as he had come.
"How has it come to this, Francis?" I asked my husband quietly.
"I don't know, Rebecca. Truly, I do not know." He slipped an arm around my shaking shoulders as I trembled in fear of what would come.