Difficult Lines

Question 1

I think it must be broken, sir.

Answer 1

Old man, if your informant tells the truth let him come here openly like a decent man. But if he hides in anonymity I must know why. Now, sir, the government and central church demand of you the name of him who reported Mister Thomas Putnam a common murderer.

Question 2

I have this morning signed away the soul of Rebecca Nurse…
… this argument let lawyers present to you.

Answer 2

Mister Hale, believe me; for a man of such terrible learning you are most bewildered— I hope you will forgive me. I have been thirty-two year at the bar, sir, and I should be confounded were I called upon to defend these people. Let you consider, now— and I bid you all do likewise:— in an ordinary crime, how does one defend the accused? One calls up witnesses to prove his innocence. But witchcraft is ipso facto, on its face and by its nature, an invisible crime. Therefore, who may possibly be witness to it?— the witch, and the victim. Now we cannot hope the witch will accuse herself; granted? Therefore, we must rely upon her victims— and they do testify, the children certainly do testify. As for the witches, none will deny that we are most eager for their confessions. Therefore, what is left for a lawyer to bring out? I think I have made my point. Have I not?

Question 3

I did, sir.

Answer 3

How were you instructed in your life? Do you not know that God damns all liars? Or is it now that you lie?

Question 4

I have no sense of it now, I

Answer 4

Why? What is lacking now?

Question 5

I… cannot tell, sir, I…

Answer 5

Might it be that here we have no afflicting spirit loose, but on the court there were some?

Question 6

I thought I saw spirits.

Answer 6

Thought you saw them!

Question 7

Surely Your Excellency is not taken by this simple lie.

Answer 7

Abigail Williams! I bid you now search your heart, and tell me this— and beware of it, child, to God every soul is precious and His vengeance is terrible on them that take life without cause. Is it possible, child, that the spirits you have seen are illusions only, some deception that may cross your mind when…

Question 8

Why, this… this… is a base question, sir.

Answer 8

Child I would have you consider it—

Question 9

To be mistrusted, denied, questioned like…

Answer 9

Child, I do not mistrust you…

Question 10

Beware of it!— there is…

Answer 10

What is it, child

Question 11

Abby don’t do that!

Answer 11

Mary Warren do you witch her? I say to you, do you send your spirit out!

Question 12

Whore! How do you dare call Heaven!

Answer 12

Man! What do you—?

Question 13

Now here here

Answer 13

You charge—

Question 14

Mark her, now she’ll suck a scream to stab me with but—

Answer 14

You will prove this, this will not pass.

Question 15

I have known her, sir. I have… known her.

Answer 15

You are a lecher?

Question 16

A man will not cast away his good name, sir, you surely know what—

Answer 16

In what time…? In what time, in what place?

Question 17

My wife is innocent, except she knows a whore when she sees one.

Answer 17

You deny every scrap and tittle of this?

Question 18

She does deny, it. She does not deny it!

Answer 18

You will remain where you are. Sit you down! Mister Parris, go into the court and bring Goodwife Proctor out. Mister Parris. And tell her not one word of what’s been spoken here. And let you knock before you enter. Now we shall touch the bottom of this swamp. Your wife, you say, is an honest woman?

Question 19

My wife cannot lie.

Answer 19

And when she put this girl out of your house, she put her out for a harlot—

Question 20

Ay sir.

Answer 20

And knew her for a harlot?

Question 21

She knew her for a harlot.

Answer 21

Good, then. And if she tell me, child, it were harlotry, may God spread His mercy on you! Hold! Turn your back. Turn your back. You do likewise. Now neither of you turn to face goody proctor. No one in this room is to speak one word, or raise a gesture aye or nay. Enter! Mister Putnam, report this testimony in all exactness. Are you ready?

Question 22

Ready sir,

Answer 22

Come here, woman. Look at me only, not at your husband. In my eyes only.

Question 23

Good sir,

Answer 23

We are given to understand that at one time you dismissed your servant Abigail Williams.

Question 24

That is true, sir.

Answer 24

For what cause did you dismiss her? You will look in my eyes only and not at your husband. The answer is in your memory and you need no help to give it to me. Why did you dismiss Abigail Williams?

Question 25

She dissatisfied me and my husband.

Answer 25

In what way dissatisfied you?

Question 26

She were…

Answer 26

Woman look at me! Were she slovenly? Lazy? What disturbance did she cause?

Question 27

And this girl…

Answer 27

LOOK AT ME

Question 28

Aye sir, Abigail Williams…

Answer 28

WHAT OF ABIGAIL WILLIAMS?

Question 29

And put her out on the high road.

Answer 29

Your husband… did indeed turn from you?

Question 30

My husband is a goodly man sir

Answer 30

Then he didn’t turn from you!

Question 31

He…

Answer 31

Look at me! To your own knowledge, has John Proctor ever committed the crime of lechery? Is your husband a lecher?