Act Three 105
Parris, instantly: Excellency, since I come to Salem this man is blackening my name. He -
Danforth: In a moment, sir. To Mary Warren, sternly, and surprised: What is this dancing?
Mary Warren: I - She glances at Abigail, who is staring down at her remorselessly.
Then, appealing to Proctor: Mr. Proctor -
Proctor, taking it right up: Abigail leads the girls to the woods, Your Honor, and they have danced there naked -
Parris: Your Honor, this -
Proctor, at once: Mr. Parris discovered them himself in the dead of night! There’s the “child” she is!
Danforth - it is growing into a nightmare, and he turns, as-tonished, to Parris: Mr.
Parris -
Parris: I can only say, sir, that I never found any of them naked, and this man is -
Danforth: But you discovered them dancing in the woods? Eyes on Parris, he points at Abigail. Abigail?
Hale: Excellency, when I first arrived from Beverly, Mr. Parris told me that.
Danforth: Do you deny it, Mr. Parris?
Parris: I do not, sir, but I never saw any of them naked.
Danforth: But she have danced?
Parris, unwillingly: Aye, sir.
Danforth, as though with new eyes, looks at Abigail.
Hathorne: Excellency, will you permit me? He points at Mary Warren.
Danforth, with great worry: Pray, proceed.