be all in good form, Paul.

_Paul._ I see. But wherefore?

_Giles._ It will stand in law; there will be no getting loose from
it. It be a good and trusty document. But--so be it that this
afternoon I stand trial for witchcraft, and plead guilty or not
guilty, this same good and trusty document will be worth less than
the parchment 'tis writ on. 'Tis so with the law. There will be an
attainder on't. My sons-in-law that testified to the undoing of
Martha and me will have their share, and thou and Olive perchance
have naught in this bedlam. I bear no ill will toward my sons-in-law
and my daughters, who have been put up by them to deal falsely with
Martha and me, but I would not that they have my goods. I bear no
ill will; it becometh not a man so near death to bear ill will. But
they shall not have my goods; I say they shall not. There shall be
no attainder on this document. I will stand mute at my trial.

_Paul._ Goodman Corey, know you the penalty?

_Giles._ I trow I know it better than the catechism. 'Tis to be
pressed beneath stone weights until I be dead.

_Paul._ I say you shall not do this thing. What think you I care
for your goods? I'll have naught to do with them, nor will Olive.
This is madness!

_Giles._ 'Tis not all for the goods. I would Olive had them, and
not those foul traitors; but 'tis not all. Were there no goods and
no attainder, I would still do this thing. Paul, they say that
Martha spake fair words when they had her there on Gallows Hill.

_Paul._ She spake like a martyr at the door of heaven.

_Giles._ Did they let her speak long?

_Paul._ They cut her short, Minister Parris saying, "Let not this
firebrand of hell burn longer."

_Giles._ Then they put the rope to her neck. Martha had a fair neck
when she was a maid. Did she struggle much?

_Paul._ Not much.

_Giles._ Then they left her hanging there a space. It was a wet
day, and the rain pelted on her. I remember it was a wet day. The
rain pelted on her, and the wind blew, and she swung in it. I swear
to thee, lass, I will make amends! I will suffer twenty pangs for
thy one.

_Paul._ 'Tis not you who should make amends.

_Giles._ I tell ye I did Martha harm. When she chid my folly and
the folly of others, I did bawl out at her, and say among folk
things to her undoing, though I meant it not as they took it. Now I
will make amends, and the King himself shall not stop me. Martha was
a good wife. I know not how I shal