. I know I woke up and thought 'twas
Injuns, and I peeked out of my chamber window. Such doings! You'd
ought to have seen 'em, Ann.

_Phoebe._ Oh, Nancy, why didn't you wake me up?

_Olive._ Nancy, I'll have no more of this.

_Nancy._ That's what she ought to have said last night--hadn't she,
Ann? But she didn't. Oh, I'll warrant she didn't! I know you would,
Ann.

_Olive._ Nancy! [_A noise is heard outside._

_Phoebe._ Oh, what's that noise? What is coming?

_Enter_ Giles Corey, _panting. He flings the door to violently and
slips the bolt._

_Nancy._ Massy! what's after ye?

_Phoebe._ Oh, Uncle Corey, what's the matter?

_Giles._ The matter is there be too many evil things abroad
nowadays for a man to be out after nightfall. When things that can
be hit by musket balls lay in wait, old Giles Corey is as brave as
any man; but when it comes to devilish black beasts and black men
that musket balls bound back from--What! you here, Ann Hutchins?
What be you out after dark for?

_Ann._ I came over to see Olive, Goodman Corey.

_Giles._ You'd best stayed by your own hearth if you've got one.
Young women have no call to be out gadding after dark in these
times.

_Phoebe._ Oh, Uncle Corey, something did frighten Ann as she came
through the wood. A black beast, with horns and a tail and eyes like
balls of fire, jumped out of the bushes at her, and bade her sign
the book in a dreadful voice.

_Giles._ What! Was't so, Ann?

_Ann._ I know not. There was something.

_Olive_ (_laughing_). 'Twas naught but Ann's own shadow that her
fear gave a voice and a touch to. Say naught to frighten Ann,
father; she is the most timorous maid in Salem Village now.

_Giles._ There is some wisdom in fear nowadays. You make too light
of it, lass.

_Olive_ (_laughing_). Nay, father, I'll turn to and hang up my own
shadow in the chimbly-place for a witch, an you say so.

_Giles._ This be no subject for jest. Said you the black beast
spoke to you, Ann?

_Ann._ I know not. Once I thought I heard Olive calling. I know not
what I heard.

_Giles._ You'd best have stayed at home. Where is your mother,
Olive?

_Olive._ She has gone to Goodwife Bishop's with a basket of eggs.

_Giles._ Gone three miles to Goodwife Bishop's this time of night?
Is the woman gone out of her senses?

_Olive._ She is not afraid.

_Giles._ I'll warrant she is not afraid. So much the worse for her.
Mayhap she's gone riding on a b