"A witch—what nonsense!" said Dame Buckley.
"Nonsense, is it?" said the other constable. "What is this?" taking up the book from the table. "A book of plays! profane and wicked stage plays, in Salem village! You had better hold your peace, goodwife; or you may go to prison yourself for harboring such licentious devices of Satan in your house."
Goodwife Buckley started and grew pale. A book of wicked stage-plays under her roof! She could make no reply, but went off without speaking to pack up a bundle of the accused maiden's clothing.
"See here!" continued the constable, opening the book, "All about witches, as I thought! He-cat and three other witches!
'Round about the cauldron go:
In the poisoned entrails throw.'
It is horrible!"
"Put the accursed book in the fire, Master Taunton," said Herrick.
There was a small fire burning on the hearth, for the evening was a little cool, and the other constable threw the book amidst the live coals; but was surprised to see that it did not flame up rapidly.
"That is witchcraft, if there ever was witchcraft!" said Jethro Sands, who was at the front of the crowd. "See, it will not burn. The Devil looks out for his own."