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The vestry room of the Salem meeting house, now serving as the anteroom of the General Court.
As the curtain rises, the room is empty, but for sunlight pouring through two high windows in the back wall. The room is solemn, even forbidding. Heavy beams jut out, boards of random widths make up the walls. At the right are two doors leading into the meeting house proper, where the court is being held. At the left another door leads outside.
There is a plain bench at the left, and another at the right. In the center a rather long meeting table, with stools and a considerable armchair snugged up to it.
Through the partitioning wall at the right we hear a prosecutor's voice, Judge Hathorne's, asking a question; then a woman's voice, Martha Corey's, replying.
HATHORNE'S VOICE: Now, Martha Corey, there is abundant evidence in our hands to show that you have given yourself to the reading of fortunes. Do you deny it?
MARTHA COREY'S VOICE: I am innocent to a witch. I know not what a witch is.
HATHORNE'S VOICE: How do you know, then, that you are not a witch?
MARTHA COREY'S VOICE: If I were, I would know it.
HATHORNE'S VOICE: Why do you hurt these children?
MARTHA COREY's VOICE: I do not hurt them. I scorn it!
GILES' VOICE, roaring: I have evidence for the court!
Voices of townspeople rise in excitement.
DANFORTH'S VOICE: You will keep your seat!
GILES' VOICE: Thomas Putnam is reaching out for land!
DANFORTH'S VOICE: Remove that man, Marshal!
GILES' VOICE: You're hearing lies, lies!
A roaring goes up from the people.
HATHORNE'S VOICE: Arrest him, excellency!
GILES' VOICE: I have evidence. Why will you not hear my evidence?
The door opens and Giles is half carried into the vestry room by Herrick.