Page:Salem - a tale of the seventeenth century (IA taleseventeenth00derbrich).pdf/52

 "'Well, I don't, son Thomas;' says Goody, 'and that is where you and I differ. If they are sick, I pity them, with all my heart, I'm sure; for nobody knows better than I do what a dreadful thing it is to have fits. I had them once when one of my children was born. But that is no excuse for letting them disturb the whole meeting-house. If they can't behave, let them stay at home, I say. I believe that Mr. Parris is at the bottom of it all; I don't think much of him, and I never did.'

"'Tut! tut! Goody,' said Landlord Nurse. 'Bridle in that unruly little member of thine; it is no use talking of these things, and it is not well to talk against your minister.'

"'He aint my minister,' says she, again; 'he never was, and never will be, and I'm glad of it. I belong to the Old Church, and I never separated from it, as you know; and I only go to the village church when I can't go to town. I never did like Mr. Parris, even when you, father, and the old committee first gave him a call; and I'm sure, son Tarbell, when you and the young men took the matter into your own hands,