“Yoo are a learned man, and I’m no scholard, tho’ I kun read my Bible, thank God! and that book tells me that evil spirits did enter into man and beast; and parson, yoo cunna make me believe that the arch-fiend has not entered into the heart of that woman.”
“Oh! don’t, I beseech you, my friend, give too much credence to idle tales and silly talk; and pray don’t believe that she is the real cause of, and the instrument by which, this affliction has come upon you. If you were to sift thoroughly the evidence respecting Mary’s malpractices, you would discover, in the end, that the whole is based upon hearsay, and on the inventions of persons who might have fancied it possible for such things to exist.”
“Mr. Jones, Mr. Jones,” replied Mrs. Lloyd, “these tales are not idle invention; I wish they was. But as true as God made Llandegley Rocks, and I s’pose He made them, my cows wanna give no milk, and the cream wunna turn to butter, churn as much as we will; and it’s a fact ’bout the old hag and our pony, as Lloyd witnessed the whole matter. I believe, and Lloyd believes, and my daughter believes it too, that our calamities are the result of the evil influences of this witch, who has been practising upon our creatures her infernal and malignant arts. I have now told you my tale, parson, and I want your advice.”
“What do you wish me to do, Mrs. Lloyd?”
“Oh, sir! there is only one thing yoo can do.”
“What is that, my friend?”
“What is that, yoo ask? Ye know very well. Why, break the spell, to be sure. Until that’s done we shall neither have butter nor milk, and then how shall we be able to pay our rent?”
“Indeed, ma’am, I don’t see how I can assist you. Oh, I do wish you would not place any faith in this woman’s power.”
“I cunna help it, Mr. Jones. But I do believe this, that yoo can master her, and yoo only. I know yoo have power over these evil spirits and witches, but especially over Moll McGee.”
“Why do you think so, ma’am?”