<P> The remainder of Act Two is set in the Proctor's home . John and Elizabeth are incredulous that nearly forty people have been arrested for witchcraft based on the pronouncements of Abigail and the other girls . John knows their apparent possession and accusations of witchcraft are untrue, as Abigail told him when they were alone together in the first act, but is unsure of how to confess without revealing the affair . Elizabeth is disconcerted to learn her husband was alone with Abigail . She believes John still lusts after Abigail and tells him that as long as he does, he will never redeem himself . </P> <P> Mary Warren enters and gives Elizabeth a' poppet' (doll - like puppet) that she made in court that day while sitting as a witness . Angered that Mary is neglecting her duties, John threatens to beat her . Mary retorts that she saved Elizabeth's life that day, as Elizabeth was accused of witchcraft and was to be arrested until Mary spoke in her defense . Mary refuses to identify Elizabeth's accuser, but Elizabeth surmises accurately that it must have been Abigail . She implores John to go to court and tell the judges that Abigail and the rest of the girls are pretending . John is reluctant, fearing that doing so will require him to publicly reveal his past adultery . </P> <P> Reverend Hale arrives, stating that he is interviewing all the people named in the proceedings, including Elizabeth . He mentions that Rebecca Nurse was also named, but admits that she is too pious to be a witch . Hale is skeptical about the Proctors' devotion to Christianity, noting that they do not attend church regularly and that their second child has not yet been baptized; John replies that this is because he has no respect for Parris . Challenged to recite the Ten Commandments, John fatefully forgets "thou shalt not commit adultery". When Hale questions her, Elizabeth is angered that he doesn't question Abigail first . Unsure of how to proceed, Hale prepares to take his leave . At Elizabeth's urging, John tells Hale he knows that the girl's afflictions are fake . When Hale responds that many of the accused have confessed, John points out that they were bound to be hanged if they didn't: Hale reluctantly acknowledges this point . </P> <P> Suddenly, Giles Corey and Francis Nurse enter the house and inform John and Hale that both of their wives have been arrested on charges of witchcraft; Martha Corey for reading suspicious books and Rebecca Nurse on charges of sacrificing children . A posse led by clerk Ezekiel Cheever and town marshal George Herrick arrive soon afterwards and present a warrant for Elizabeth's arrest, much to Hale's surprise . Cheever picks up the poppet on Elizabeth's table and finds a needle inside . He informs John that Abigail had a pain - induced fit earlier that evening and a needle was found stuck into her stomach; Abigail claimed that Elizabeth stabbed her with the needle through witchcraft, using a poppet as a conduit . John brings Mary into the room to tell the truth; Mary asserts that she made the doll and stuck the needle into it, and that Abigail saw her do so . Cheever is unconvinced and prepares to arrest Elizabeth . </P>

When did the salem witch trials occur in the crucible