d sell your immortal soul,
child!" and she gave way to a fit of weeping, which unnerved all the
children, who began to howl, as if they were beset by demons. When the
hubbub was at its height, the door to an adjoining room opened, and
Tituba and John stuck their heads into the room.

"She am dar! she am dar!" cried old Tituba. "I see her! I see dem bofe!"

"Yes, I see um--see um bofe, Tituba," repeated John.

"Who do you see?" asked the pastor.

"See de black man and Goody Nurse."

"Where?"

"Dar."

They pointed along the floor, then up the wall to the ceiling, where
they both avowed that they saw Goodwife Nurse and the black man, or
demon, dancing with their heels up and heads down.

The negro clapped his hands, patted his foot on the floor and cried
aloud:

"Doan yer see um, Marster? doan yer see um, chillun?"

One little girl, who fixed her eyes on a certain dark corner of the
room, thought she could see a shadow moving on the wall, but was not
quite certain. The pastor was overcome by the presence of the prince of
darkness in his own house, and, falling on his knees, began to pray. As
a natural result, when all minds were directed to one channel, as they
were by prayer, the superstitious feeling which possessed them passed
away, and the household, which a few moments ago was on the verge of
hysteria, became more calm, and when all rose from their knees, Mrs.
Parris asked her visitor to spend the evening with them.

"I fain would stay; but I dread the long walk home."

"Samuel will accompany you, unless Charles Stevens comes, as he
promised. In case he should, he can go with you."

At the mention of Charles Stevens, the young woman's eyes grew brighter,
and her face became crimson.

"Sarah, have you not heard from your husband?" asked the minister.

"No; he is dead."

"Did you never hear of the pinnace?"

"No; but it was no doubt lost."

"How long since he left?"

"A year. He went to New York, was seen to leave that port, and has never
been heard from."

"It is sad."

"Verily, it is," and Sarah tried hard to call up a tear, and wiped her
eyes with the corner of her apron.

John and Tituba had retired to their domain, the kitchen, to conjure up
more demons and plan further mischief.

Mr. Parris could not keep his mind long from the rebellious members of
his flock. "I will be avenged on them," he thought. "Verily, I will be
avenged for every pang they have made me suffer."

He had forgo