Act Two Scene Eight

Question 1

CHEEVER (to Hale), Are you blind?

Exits with deputies. PROCTOR stands there, gulping air. Horses and a wagon creaking are heard.

Answer 1

(in great uncertainty) Mr. Proctor—

Question 2

PROCTOR Out of my sight!

Answer 2

(Pleading.) Charity, Proctor, Charity—what I have heard in her favor I will not fear to testify in court.

Question 3

PROCTOR You are a coward!

Answer 3

Proctor, the jails are packed—our greatest judges sit in Salem now—and hangin’s promised. Were there murder done, perhaps, and never brought to light? Abomination? Some secret blasphemy that stinks to Heaven? Think on it man, and let you help me to discover it. For there’s your only way, when such confusion strikes upon the world. (He goes to Giles and Francis). Let you counsel among yourselves; think on what may have drawn from heaven such thundering wrath upon you all.

Hale goes out.