Judge Bride: Confess now and turn against these other witches—for it is possible that many are about—and I swear to you your life will be spared.
She was silent.
Judge Lollimour: Will the prisoner at the bar recite the Lord’s Prayer?
Doll began readily enough. As she spoke the Holy Words, Mr. Zelley covered his face in his hands, and made them with his lips as though he would help her. She went on without chance or mishap till she came to the last sentence, which begins, ‘Lead us not into temptation.’ She got no further. Mr. Zelley clenched his hands until his knuckles went white. He turned up his eyes to God. Then quickly she began and said, to the horror and consternation of all, ‘Ever for, glory the and, power the, kingdom the, is thine for, evil from us deliver, but temptation into not us lead—Amen.’ She did not know what she had done. She looked about with assurance. There was an incessant and horrid silence in the court. The Judges looked to each other. Clergyman looked to clergyman, then turned eyes to God. So was she utterly undone, but the Court was not yet satisfied.
Judge Bride: You have responded to my colleague’s request to the satisfaction of all, but there are some small matters yet to clear. Be of good heart, soon we will let you go. I see you are pale and distrait. Constable, see to it she does not fall from the table. What did you mean when you said the bewitchment of the Thumb twins was ‘the work of another witch’?
Doll Bilby: Sir, how can I explain?
Judge Bride: There is nothing you cannot either confess to, or explain.
Doll Bilby: Sir, I am confused and amazed.
Judge Bride: Answer but a few minutes with frankness, and you shall go to your own cell—we are not your enemies—open your heart to us.
She was mute.