Summary

In Chapter 9, Mary offers to help Priscilla and the two servants with the chores, but they insist she rest because of her hand. Thomas arrives. He insists Mary hurt her hand when she fell on the teakettle. Priscilla tells Thomas he is “playing a dangerous game with thy soul” (85). He counters, saying James risks God's wrath by using the three-pronged forks. He says Catherine believes Mary is a witch. Thomas does not believe she is, but he says accusations can be dangerous. When Mary refuses to return home, Thomas says he will send Catherine to stay at Beth's. The next day, Mary and James go to Benjamin Hull's office. He pledges to begin work gathering information and questioning witnesses. Valentine and Eleanor Hill have supper with Mary and her parents that evening. Valentine owns a warehouse near James's. Valentine mentions his nephew Henry...