"Abigail Williams, did you see a company at Mr. Parris's house eat and drink?—Yes, sir: that was in the sacrament."
I would call attention to the form of the foregoing questions. Hutchinson says that "Mr. Parris was over-officious: most of the examinations, although in the presence of one or more magistrates, were taken by him." He put the questions. They show, on this occasion, a minute knowledge beforehand of what the witnesses are to say, which it cannot be supposed Danforth, Russell, Addington, Appleton, and Sewall, strangers, as they were, to the place and the details of the affair, could have had. The examination proceeded:—
"How many were there?—About forty, and Goody Cloyse and Goody Good were their deacons.
"What was it?—They said it was our blood, and they had it twice that day."
The interrogator again turned to Mary Walcot, and inquired,—
"Have you seen a white man?—Yes, sir: a great many times.
"What sort of a man was he?—A fine grave man; and, when he came, he made all the witches to tremble.
"(Abigail Williams confirmed the same, and that they had such a sight at Deacon Ingersoll's.)
"Who was at Deacon Ingersoll's then?—Goody Cloyse, Goody Nurse, Goody Corey, and Goody Good.
"(Then Sarah Cloyse asked for water, and sat down, as one seized with a dying, fainting fit; and several of the afflicted fell into fits, and some of them cried out, 'Oh! her spirit has gone to prison to her sister Nurse.')"