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they had to say.
    “You are certain then, sir?” Uncle Daniel asked.
    Grandpappy nodded. “As certain as one can be in these matters. I sat with the other ministers and watched these young girls. Their fits are most frightful to see. They twist and moan and clutch at their arms as if being made to perform in ways most unwanted by them.”
    Abigail drew in her breath. Young
girls
were being tormented by the devil?
    “If it is so fearful then,” Aunt Elizabeth said, “what makes you certain that it is not in fact the devil that takes them?”
    Grandpappy shook his head. “I do not believe in witchcraft, Elizabeth. I think the girls are doing nothing more than having a bit of sport.”
    “Sport that is causing chaos,” Uncle Daniel saidangrily. “If the girls are truly lying, they should be punished.”
    Were the girls lying?
Abigail wondered. It seemed an awful and ugly thing to do. But if the devil was not in Salem Village, and the girls were only playing a game, Abigail knew quite well the punishment they would receive. She touched her own legs as a reminder. Racing for pleasure was a small offense. Lying was a much greater one.
    Or was it the devil himself who was making them lie? On the stairs, Abigail shuddered. She knew herself to be brave, but how did one go about fighting off the devil?
    “Father,” Mama said, “if the girls are lying, why does no one stop them?”
    Grandpappy sighed. “It is as if the town has gone mad out there. I am at a loss to explain it, daughter. But the people of Salem Village believe the girls.”
    “Can no one put an end to this madness, then?” Mama asked.
    “Nay,” Grandpappy said. “It seems not. Already they have convicted three people of witchcraft: a slave woman named Tituba, an old beggar woman named Sarah Good, and an ungodly woman, SarahOsborne. All of them are oddities, daughter. Do you understand my concern now?”
    “But surely this will not come to Andover, sir,” Uncle Daniel said. “We are a God-fearing, sensible lot here.”
    “I hope you are right, Daniel, but I fear it may,” Grandpappy said. “I kept my own thoughts at the meeting of ministers this time, but it could become necessary that I speak out against the girls should this madness spread.”
    A log fell into the fire, throwing up sparks.
    “If it does,” Grandpappy continued, “Francis’s condition could be thought to have the work of the devil about it.”
    The door opened, and Paul came inside. He stared at the four of them, huddled around the fire.
    “The cows are in,” he said roughly
    “I am most grateful, Paul,” Mama said. “Your father will be also when he is himself again.”
    Paul gave a short bark of a laugh.
    “Mind your tongue,” Grandpappy said sharply, “or you’ll be seeing the strap of my belt. Off to bed with you.”
    Paul made his way toward the stairs.
    Abigail stood, suddenly aware that she was to be discovered. She turned to flee, but not before Mama looked up and saw her. Their eyes met, and Abigail saw that Mama, too, was frightened.

six
    Papa woke Abigail and Dorothy at first light the next morning. Abigail looked into his eyes and saw that they were clear. His fit had passed. Yet his face showed signs of worry.
    “Your mother is with fever,” Papa said, his voice low and urgent. “I have sat with her for a goodly portion of this early morning, but I fear she worsens.”
    Papa’s face flushed. Abigail knew he realized that it was his fault their mother was sick. She tried to feel some sympathy, but instead felt only frustration with him. Mama was ill, and being out with Papa in the wet night had probably brought that sickness on.
    “Dorothy,” Papa said, “begin preparing this morning’s breakfast. Sarah should be here soon to help you. Let Franny sleep until Edward wakens andthen have her watch over him, Abigail, I would have you be with your mother while I am away. I must tend to the livestock, but I won’t be gone long.”
    “Aye, Papa,”