"What does this mean?"
"I take God to be my witness, that I know nothing of it, no more than the child unborn," she answered.
"Woe is the evil one, who speaks falsely when accused!" cried the enraged Sarah Williams. Then she closed her fist and made an effort to strike Cora, who, with a scream, shrunk from her.
"Hold, Sarah Williams! Don't judge hastily, or you may judge wrongly."
"Go to! hold your peace, Charles Stevens, for, verily, I know whereof I speak, when I charge that the shape of Cora Waters does grievously torment me."
"Are you mad?"
"No."
"Then of what do you accuse her?"
"She is a witch."
At this awful accusation both Charles and Cora shrunk back in dismay, and for a moment neither could speak; but Sarah Williams was not silent. She continued upbraiding the unfortunate girl, heaping charge upon charge on her innocent head, until Cora felt as if she needs must sink beneath the load.