_Paul._ Cupboards in every room, and fine-laid white floors. _Olive._ We need a cupboard in the living-room only, but I have learned to sand a floor in a rare pattern. [Paul _attempts to embrace_ Olive. _She repulses him._ _Paul._ I trow you are full provident of favors and pence, Olive. _Olive._ I would save them for thee, Paul. _Paul._ And thou shalt not be hindered by me to any harm, sweetheart. Was't thy mother taught thee such wisdom, or thine own self, Olive? _Olive._ 'Twas my mother. _Paul._ Nay, 'twas thine own heart; that shall teach me, too. [_Nine-o'clock bell rings._ _Olive._ Oh, 'tis nine o'clock, and 'tis not a courting night. Paul, be off; thou must! [_They jump up and go to the door._ _Paul_ (_putting his arm around_ Olive). Give me but one kiss, Olive, albeit not a courting night, for good speed on my homeward walk and my to-morrow's journey. _Olive._ Where go you to-morrow, Paul? _Paul._ To Boston, for a week's time or more. _Olive._ Oh, Paul, there may be Injuns on the Boston path! Thou wilt be wary? _Paul_ (_laughing_). Have no fear for me, sweetheart. I shall have my musket. _Olive._ A week? _Paul._ 'Tis a short time, but long enough to need sweetening with a kiss when folk are absent from one another. _Olive_ (_kisses him_). Oh, be careful, Paul! _Paul._ Fear not for me, sweetheart, but do thou too be careful, for sometimes danger sneaks at home, when we flee it abroad. Keep away from this witchcraft folly. Good-by, sweetheart. [_They part._ Olive _sets a candle in the window after_ Paul's _exit. Nine-o'clock bell still rings as curtain falls._ Scene II.--_Twelve o'clock at night. Living-room at_ Giles Corey's _house, lighted only by the moon and low fire-light. Enter_ Nancy Fox _with a candle,_ Phoebe _following with a large rag doll._ Nancy _sets the candle on the dresser._ _Nancy._ Be ye sure that Goody Corey is asleep, and Goodman Corey? _Phoebe_ (_dances across to the door, which she opens slightly, and listens_). They be both a-snoring. Hasten and begin, I pray you, Nancy. _Nancy._ And Olive? _Phoebe._ She is asleep, and she is in the south chamber, and could not hear were she awake. Here is my doll. Now show me how to be a witch. Quick, Nancy! _Nancy._ Whom do you desire to afflict? _Phoebe_ (_considers_). Let me see. I will afflict Uncle Corey, because he brought me naught from Boston to-day; Olive, because she gave that cape to Ann instead of me; and Aunt Corey, because she set me such a long stint, because she would not let me eat an apple to-night, and because she sent me to bed. I want to stick one pin into Uncle Corey, one into Olive, and three into Aunt Corey. _Nancy._ Take the doll, prick it as you will, and say who the pricks be for. [Phoebe _sticks a pin into the doll._