You have a faulty understanding of young girls. There is a promise made in any bed…Spoke or silent, a promise is surely made. And she may dote on it now – I am sure she does – and thinks to kill me, then to take my place.
– Arthur Miller
The Crucible, Act 2. Elizabeth tells John that she believes their former servant Abigail has likely read more into her sexual affair with her husband that he did. John may see the affair as meaningless, but Elizabeth is acutely aware of Abigail’s jealousy and desire for vengeance because she fired Abigail over the affair. Abby plans to kill her and replace her, Elizabeth tells John. Abby’s plot and Elizabeth’s arrest for the hanging offense of witchcraft are foreshadowed here.