"But you said they cannot stand before you. Tell me[ii.46] what was that turning upon the spit by you?—You believe the children that are distracted. I saw no spit. "Here are more than two that accuse you for witchcraft. What do you say?—I am innocent. "(Then Mr. Hathorne read further of Crosby's evidence.) "What did you mean by that,—the Devil could not stand before you? "(She denied it. Three or four sober witnesses confirmed it.) "What can I do? Many rise up against me. "Why, confess.—So I would, if I were guilty. "Here are sober persons. What do you say to them? You are a gospel woman; will you lie? "(Abigail cried out, 'Next sabbath is sacrament-day; but she shall not come there.') "I do not care. "You charge these children with distraction: it is a note of distraction when persons vary in a minute; but these fix upon you. This is not the manner of distraction.—When all are against me, what can I help it? "Now tell me the truth, will you? Why did you say that the magistrates' and ministers' eyes were blinded, you would open them? "(She laughed, and denied it.) "Now tell us how we shall know who doth hurt these, if you do not?—Can an innocent person be guilty? "Do you deny these words?—Yes. "Tell us who hurts these. We came to be a terror to evil-doers. You say you would open our eyes, we are blind.—If you say I am a witch. "You said you would show us. "(She denied it.)[ii.47] "Why do you not now show us?—I cannot tell: I do not know. "What did you strike the maid at Mr. Tho. Putnam's with?—I never struck her in my life. "There are two that saw you strike her with an iron rod.—I had no hand in it. "Who had? Do you believe these children are bewitched?—They may, for aught I know: I have no hand in it. "You say you are no witch. Maybe you mean you never covenanted with the Devil. Did you never deal with any familiar?—No, never. "What bird was that the children spoke of? "(Then witnesses spoke: What bird was it?) "I know no bird. "It may be you have engaged you will not confess; but God knows.—So he doth. "Do you believe you shall go unpunished?—I have nothing to do with witchcraft. "Why was you not willing your husband should come to the former session here?—But he came, for all. "Did not you take the saddle off?—I did not know what it was for. "Did you not know what it was for?—I did not know that it would be to any benefit. "(Somebody said that she would not have them help to find out witches.) "Did you not say you would open our eyes? Why do you not?—I never thought of a witch. "Is it a laughing matter to see these afflicted persons? "(She denied it. Several prove it.) "Ye are all against me, and I cannot help it.[ii.48] "Do not you believe there are witches in the country?—I do not know that there is any. "Do not you know that Tituba confessed it?—I did not hear her speak. "I find you will own nothing without several witnesses, and yet you will deny for all.