The Sacrifice Read Online Free PDF

Village? The small village was but a day’s ride from Andover. Her earlier thoughts of hell and damnation closed upon her like a hand at her throat.
    “But how does that affect us?” Paul scoffed. “There are no witches here in Andover.”
    “Nor perhaps in Salem Village,” Grandpappy said, “but that may not stop the townspeople.”
    “What do you mean, Grandpappy?” Dorothy asked.
    “Child, your father, with his illness, is an oddity.” Grandpappy sighed deeply. “An oddity that may just bring about our ruin.”
    Abigail looked at her grandfather’s serious face. The room, which a minute ago had been warm and cozy, suddenly seemed cold.

five
    They had barely finished their Sabbath meal when Abigail heard a muffled noise. Paul had gone out to bring in the cows, but it was too early for him to be back. She glanced up and saw that Grandpappy and Aunt Elizabeth had heard it too. All eyes turned toward the door.
    “Dorothy,” Grandpappy said roughly, “let them in”
    Dorothy rose swiftly and opened the door. No one was on the stoop, but the odd sounds continued in the darkness.
    “Mama?” Dorothy called out softly.
    “Aye, Dorothy, ’tis I,” Mama called back. “We’ll be there shortly.”
    Aunt Elizabeth went to the door. “Do you need help, Hannah?”
    “Nay, sister,” Mama said. “Daniel is with me.”
    A moment later, they were close enough to the house for Abigail to see them. Uncle Daniel was on one side of Papa, holding him up, and Mama was on the other. Papa was mumbling and seemed dazed and confused.
    Relief flooded through Abigail when she saw that Mama was all right. But then she noticed that her mother had no cap or cloak and that her face was pale.
    Grandpappy rose from the table. “I will take him,” he said.
    Grandpappy was a big man, and he walked outside into the light rain and lifted Papa as if he were a baby. He carried him inside and up the stairs. Abigail could hear his heavy footsteps going toward Mama and Papa’s bedchamber, then the creak of the bed as Grandpappy lay Papa upon it. Uncle Daniel came in and sat down on a stool, taking off his hat and rubbing his eyes. On the floor beside him, Edward was asleep on a blanket.
    Mama went toward the stairs to follow Grandpappy.
    “Hannah, wait,” Aunt Elizabeth said. “You lookexhausted. You must eat something. I’ll wager you’ve had naught since breakfast.”
    Mama smiled weakly. “’Tis true. It has been a most difficult day. But I must see to Francis, Eliza.”
    “I will do that,” Aunt Elizabeth said. “You are soaked to the bone, and you will be no good for Francis should you sicken. Come sit by the fire and warm yourself.”
    Mama looked up the stairs and then sighed. “I admit I am most weary, and my hunger is great.”
    Aunt Elizabeth climbed the stairs to help Grandpappy, and Abigail went quickly to the fire and dished out two bowls of bean porridge, one for Mama and one for Uncle Daniel. Mama sat down by the fire, next to Uncle Daniel, and Dorothy poured them both some hot cider. Franny brought bread from the table.
    Abigail placed the bowl in her mother’s hands. She could see that her mother was shaking, so she ran to the door and got her own dry, warm cloak to place on her mother’s shoulders. “Here, Mama.”
    Mama smiled at her. “Thank you, Bear,” she said.
    Then her smile suddenly disappeared. “But I had almost forgotten. Pray tell me, Abigail, howfared you today at the Sabbath service?”
    Abigail was about to reply, but before she could speak, Dorothy came and sat beside Mama.
    “Abigail was given no tongue-lashing, Mama,” Dorothy said. “Grandpappy’s sermon was directed at Salem Village. Witches have been discovered there.”
    Mama’s eyes widened, and again Abby felt a cold chill at the mention of witches and the thought of their devil’s work.
    “Lord,” Mama breathed. “This is a most frightful thing to consider.”
    “Have you ever seen a witch, Mama?” Franny asked, leaning