Page:Salem - a tale of the seventeenth century (IA taleseventeenth00derbrich).pdf/50

 are just like one great family. Old Landlord Nurse—he seemed just like one of the old patriarchs when he stood up to bless the table, with his long, white hair floating over his shoulders—dear old man!

"But, grandmother, I have got some queer news to tell you. Don't you remember what we heard about those children and girls at Mr. Parris's house—how they had meetings there to try tricks and charms, and practice all sorts of black arts? Don't you remember hearing of it?"

"Yes, Allie; I mind it. An' I thought it wa' unco' strange doings—at the Manse, too!"

"Yes, I know. Well, they have gone on worse and worse—they behave awfully now. The people don't know what to make of it—some say they are crazy, and some think they make it up. Oh! and they have (or pretend to have, I don't know which it is) terrible fits; and they will scream and rave, and foam at the mouth, and bleed at the nose, and drop down to the floor as if they were dead, and be cold and stiff; and they'll declare they see and hear things that no