The Witch Of Blackbird Pond

The next morning, Kit is led to the town’s meeting house, where she is confronted by her accusers. Several villagers claim that she caused them to suffer various afflictions. Others believe she is responsible for the sickness that plagued the children of Wethersfield. To his credit, Kit’s uncle defends her and dismisses the accusations as nonsense.

The Cruffs come forward and present a copybook with Prudence’s name written on a page twice. Kit had used the paper earlier to teach Prudence how to write her own name. Wanting to protect the child, she confesses to writing both lines but won’t say why. The magistrate is about to rule that Kit should stand trial when Nat and Prudence interrupt the proceedings. The little girl speaks up without fear and claims that Kit was only teaching her to read.

Goodwife Cruff protests that the girl is too stupid to learn. The deacon asks Prudence to write her name and read from the Bible, which she does quite well. Her father is impressed and proud that his daughter is so smart. When his wife objects, he says, “Well, this is a new country over here, and who says it may not be just as needful for a woman to read as a man? Might give her summat to think about besides witches and foolishness” (221-222). Goodman Cruff withdraws the charge against Kit that he made at his wife’s insistence. Kit is released, but Nat must vanish or face a whipping as a penalty for returning to town after his Halloween prank. For her part, Goodwife Cruff is warned of the penalty for slander, so she makes no more accusations against Kit.  

The Wood household returns to normal with the onset of winter. Kit is initially enchanted by the sight of snow, but as winter drags on, she longs for Barbados. By early spring, she decides to return to the island for good: “I want to go home, where green things are growing, and I will never see snow again as long as I live! Her tears, scalding her eyelids, froze instantly against the pillow” (236).

During this period, the family also receives the distressing news that John has been captured by one of the native tribes. They fear they will never see him again. Around the same time, Kit declines William’s proposal. He wants a proper wife who doesn’t consort with witches and will care what the neighbors think, but Kit will never be prim and proper. Judith and William discover that they are much better suited to each other, and they happily plan his new house together. During a March snowstorm, John unexpectedly bursts into the Wood house. He has escaped from his captors and has come to declare his love for Mercy. The sisters announce a double wedding for the beginning of May.

While the household prepares for the upcoming weddings, Kit is busy forming a plan to return to Barbados. She will sell her fine dresses to pay for passage and then find work as a governess on the island. With the return of spring, however, Kit feels a pang at leaving her New England home. By mid-April, Kit comes to the realization that she could be happy anywhere so long as she is with Nat. He once asked her to go away with him, and she hopes that his offer still stands.

After making this decision, Kit searches every incoming sailing ship for the Dolphin. One day, she finally sees Nat unloading a new ketch that has just tied up to the Wethersfield landing. When he finds that Kit hasn’t married William, he is overjoyed. He tells her that Hannah and her cat are living happily at his grandmother’s house. Nat also says that the new ketch is his. He has named it the Witch in honor of Kit. He plans to ask her uncle for her hand. The two will be able to spend their winters in Barbados and the rest of the year in New England. Kit wants to inspect the boat, but Nat says:

That ketch has a mind of her own. She’s contrary as a very witch herself. All the way up the river she’s been holding back somehow, waiting. Now you’ll both have to wait. I’m not going to disappoint her, Kit. When I take you on board the Witch, it’s going to be for keeps (248-249).