She knew that many others, less candid, laughed at old superstitions
yet acknowledged them in their hearts. In her case the witchcraft
charge was of course a cloak for subterfuge, but it was a jest which
might bear bitterly serious results.
"Alexander McGivins," began the spokesman afresh, "we charges ye with
these weighty matters; thet ye glories in callin' yoreself a
he-woman--refusin' ter accept God's mandate an' castin' mortification
on yore own sex by holdin' on ter shameless notions. We charges ye
with settin' ther example of unwomanly behavior before ther eyes of
young gals, an' we aims ter make a sample of ye.
"We furthermore charges ye with practicin' witchcraft; with castin'
spells an' performin' devil's work." He wheeled and demanded suddenly;
"Number Thirteen, I calls on ye ter step forward an' testify. How does
witches gain thar black powers?"
The answering voice, was plainly disguised, and it came with the
lugubrious quality of calculated awesomeness.
"By compact with Satan."
"Number Thirteen, how is sich-like compacts made?"
"Thar's ways an' ways.
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