scene we hear some troubling news. Reverend Hale has returned after denouncing the court. Hathorne reports that Reverend Parris seems to be losing his grip. And Cheever explains about the cow:There be so many cows wanderin' the highroads, now their masters are in the jails, and much disagreement who they will belong to now.In other words, Salem is falling apart. Almost everyone who speaks from now on will do variations on this theme, building an image of the community in total disintegration.^^^^^^^^^^THE CRUCIBLE: ACT IV, SCENE 3Reverend Parris enters and explains that Reverend Hale is praying with the prisoners, to get them to confess. Danforth takes this as good news. But Parris isn't finished. Abigail and Mercy Lewis have disappeared. They stole all Parris' money and took passage on a ship three days ago. By now they are well out of reach. And Parris thinks he knows why. A rumor has hit Salem that the neighboring town of Andover "have thrown out the court... and will have no part of witchcraft." The girls got out before the storm hit here.Parris' life has been threatened already, and he's afraid that Salem will riot if they hang Proctor and Rebecca Nurse today. But Danforth will not postpone the executions.^^^^^^^^^^THE CRUCIBLE: ACT IV, SCENE 4Reverend Hale comes in to add his plea to Parris'. The prisoners will not confess; he must have more time. Danforth explains why he won't postpone. Things are uncertain enough; if the court falters the least bit now, there is real danger of losing control of the situation. But a confession will secure the courts position. He sends for Elizabeth Proctor. Maybe she can persuade her husband to confess.Once again, notice how Hale has changed. In Act III he was near the edge, but up until the very end he hung onto the belief that he was doing the right thing by helping the court. But when Proctor was condemned, it was the last straw.Now Hale has returned, but for what purpose?Why, it is all simple...
