Pre-text

              I am doomed! I am forsaken! I am ruined! Little did I know yesterday evening before I went to sleep that such a tragedy would befall me. It went as ordinarily as any other day progresses. As the sun began to set, I finished my evening meal and went to my room for prayer. I left the table to be cleaned by Tituba, who behaved normally. However, I should have known that something peculiar was to happen as I passed the room shared by Betty, my daughter, and Abigail, my niece. I expect strict obedience from the two girls. They are soon-to-be young women and I cannot have them tarnishing my name with their strange antics and wild fantasies. I peered into their room to see that they too were reciting their evening prayers, as I do every evening. To my horror, I saw them giggling! Needless to say, upon seeing my face they ceased. I still reprimanded them, and reminded them of how they must be wary of their actions because any misstep on their part could be used against me. Oh, how I wish I were not tied down by them! It would be easy to monitor my own actions, lest my enemies take advantage of any wrongdoing, but to manage them too! Surely, the Lord is testing my patience. I was ready to have Tituba take the switch upon them, something she has been reluctant to do lately, but Betty assuaged my anger by promising that their behavior was a rare lapse in judgment, for which they repented. I was not much convinced, but I relented because I was tired from the morning’s argument with some farmers who refused to pay their dues to me.

            After prayers, I fell into an uneasy sleep. Something was disturbing me, so I arose from my sleep and took a candle so I could walk about the house and collect my thoughts. As I passed the girls’ room, I was shocked to see they were gone. I called for Tituba, but there was no response. In a fit of anxiety, I ran out of the house and into the forest. Was someone torturing them to tell secrets about me? Had Tituba kidnapped them? With these thoughts running through my mind, I searched the forest. Suddenly, I spotted a fire, and a few girls dancing around it. I thought I saw Betty, and Abigail, and one of the girls was dancing naked! In a rage, I leapt out of my place in the bushes, startling them. They scattered, but not before I could recognize Tituba; Betty collapsed. We brought her home and she is lying in bed now. I have not spoken to any of them since, and the sun has not yet risen. I will call a doctor and inquire into these matters in the morning. For now, I must get what little sleep I can so I can think clearly about how to save my reputation.