"Not too soon, however," the reverend gentleman answered. "The devil does not sleep. He is abroad continually, and, verily, one needs must rise early to be before him and his minions."
"Where are you going, Mr. Parris?" asked the youth.
"I am coming here."
"Your call is early."
"Not earlier than Satan's. I trow he is here even already and hath abided with you, before I came."
Charles made no answer to this, for there is no wrath like the wrath of an angry preacher, whose zeal warps his judgment and makes a fanatic of him. Bigoted, tyrannical, haughty and cruel, Parris swooped down on his enemies with the fury of an eagle.
Charles Stevens was a little amazed at the manner of the minister and asked:
"Is your business with me?"
"It is."
"What is it?"