The VVitch: A New-England Folktale Page #2

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watch of Jonas and Mercy.

I was, and I bade them help me

and they paid me no mind.

- I was a-getting...

- What's the matter with thee, Thomasin?

What is the matter with thee?

Take thy father's rags to

the brook and wash them.

- They would pay me no mind.

- And brush out his woolens.

Help him!

Wee one, it gave me such

a fright to find thee gone.

I will not be left here alone.

Dost hear?

A morning's work

is well behindhand.

Jonas, leave thy sister be.

- She likes it.

- William.

What, can't a father spend

Godly time with his son?

Jonas!

- Father said stop it.

- Thomasin!

- Stop.

- Stop it!

Each of ya, stop it.

Thomasin, take the twins inside.

[both]

No!

Get inside, get inside, get inside.

As you like.

We went to find apples!

In the valley.

I thought I seen an apple tree

in the valley.

Father brought the gun,

for if we glanced that wolf...

Why did you not tell me?

Father wanted it a surprise,

to cheer you, and...

but there were none.

I thought I seen em.

[sigh]

I like you not outside

the farm, even to the valley.

Dost hear me?

Caleb, be a good lad

and get some water for thy Mother.

Stray not from the brook.

Why are you dallying?

What then?

What?

Caleb? Caleb!

Stop it.

I meant no harm in it.

What's the matter with thee?

Come hither.

What's the matter with thee, eh?

Shh.

I've seen no apples

since we went from England.

I would thou hadst found them.

I so wish for one.

[makes biting sound]

[laughing]

[rustling]

Hear that?

Aye.

Who's there?

[Mercy]

I be the Witch of the Wood!

Mercy, come out.

I be not Mercy,

I be the Witch of the Wood

and I have come to steal ye.

Hear me stick

a-flying through the trees:

Clickety-clackity,

clickety-clackity!

- Mercy!

- Clickety-clackity.

Why is't when thou dost a wrong,

I be a-washin Father's clothes

like a slave,

- and thou art playing idle?

- Because Mother hates you.

Spoilt child. I'll tell Mother

you've left the farm alone.

Black Phillip saith

I can do what I like.

Devil take your Black Phillip.

It's your fault I can't leave the yard.

I could go to the brook

before you let The Witch take Sam.

- Quiet, thee.

- It were a wolf stole Sam.

A witch. I've seen her in her

riding cloak, about the wood.

- Father showed me the tracks.

- It was a witch.

Aye, it was a witch,

Mercy, you speak aright.

- Thomasin!

- It was I.

Liar.

Twas I what stole him,

I be the witch of the wood.

- Liar! Liar!

- I am.

List not to her, Mercy.

I am that very witch.

When I sleep, my spirit slips

away from my body

and dances naked with The Devil.

- That's how I signed his book.

- No.

He bade me bring him an

unbaptized babe,

so I stole Sam

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