She discusses Ruth's sickness with Abigail, and suggests beating Betty to snap her out of her illness. The Putnams' servant, Mercy Lewis, arrives and visits Betty. She believes that Tituba knows how to speak to the dead, and she wished to learn who murdered her seven children during their infancy. Putnam admits that she sent Ruth to Tituba. Their daughter Ruth is also sick, and they assume witchcraft to be the cause. There are rumors that Betty was flying over the Ingersoll's barn, according to Mrs. Thomas Putnam enter she claims that Betty's illness is certainly a stroke of hell. Parris demands to know whether Abigail has a good reputation, following up on rumors that her former employee, Goody Proctor, thinks Abigail is corrupt, but Abigail calls Goody Proctor a gossiping liar. He thinks that Tituba was screeching gibberish when he found the girls, but Abigail says they were only singing Barbados songs. Parris warns Abigail that he has enemies who will use this situation against him, and claims that he saw a dress lying on the grass and someone naked running through the trees.
Abigail admits to dancing and is willing to accept the punishment, but will not admit to witchcraft. Parris tells her that he cannot reveal that he found his daughter and niece dancing in the forest like heathens. Abigail warns Parris that there are rumors of witchcraft and that the parlor is packed with people. Parris has sent for Reverend Hale of Beverly, who will confirm the possibility of an unnatural cause of Betty's illness, but he orders Susanna to say nothing of unnatural causes to others. Griggs can find no cure for Betty's ailment.
Parris, also enters, along with Susanna Walcott, who tells Rev. She is concerned for Betty's welfare, but Parris makes her leave.
Parris' slave from Barbados, enters the room. The play is set in Salem, Massachusetts in the spring of 1692, and the first act begins in a small upper bedroom of the home of Reverend Samuel Parris, who kneels in prayer at the bed of his daughter, Betty.
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