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Proctor gives Danforth Giles' deposition. Thomas Putnam enters. Giles says that Putnam had his daughter accuse George Jacobs of witchcraft so that Putnam could buy off Jacobs' land when he hangs. Putnam denies this. Danforth wants to know who told Giles this information. Giles refuses to give the name because he knows that that person will get into trouble with the court if he mentions their name. Danforth calls this contempt of court. Hale tries to explain that people are afraid of the court because of its actions to throw everyone in jail so easily. Danforth responds that there is a plot to overthrow Christ (and at the same time, the court) in the country. Giles lunges for Putnam as to attack him. Danforth arrests Giles for contempt.

Topic Tracking: Chaos 10
Topic Tracking: Authority 9

Proctor gives Danforth Mary Warren's deposition. He claims that she was lying about the witchcraft before. Hale pleads with Danforth to allow Proctor to leave and come back with a lawyer, someone who could argue the case professionally. Danforth denies this request. He reads the deposition and calls in Susanna, Betty, Abigail, and Mercy. He tells them that just as witchcraft is a crime, so too is lying. He questions Abigail first, and Abby says that Mary is lying. Abby maintains that what she originally said is still true. Mary claims that when she fainted in the court before that she was only pretending. Parris, Hathorne, and Danforth ask her to pretend to faint now, but she says she cannot. They say that she cannot because there are no spirits around and that she must be lying about pretending before. Danforth questions Abby once again and the girls all claim that they are freezing, and that Mary is sending out her spirit onto them. Mary pleads with them to not do this to her, and to not accuse her of such things.