"Where is it?" I said.
"Here, a boilin' now," was the reply.
I began to feel fearful again.
"But Maaster Roger must make a vow afore he drinks," said Mally.
"What?" I asked.
"You must say this," she said, shaking her skinny finger. "I, Roger Trewinion, promise never to hurt the women here to-night, or their children. I promise it by the sperrits of the place. And I make a vow that I'll allays protect they and their children as fur as I can."
There was a cunning look on her face as she spoke. I felt now that these were evil women, and that I would have nothing to do with them.
"I refuse to make the promise," I said.
"You'm afraid, you'm a coward," cried Deborah.
"No, I'm not afraid, I'm not a coward," I said, "and I'll stop these proceedings of yours. You have other reasons than witchcraft for coming here, and I'll know what they are."