It cannot be forgot, sir, that when I summoned the congregation for John Proctor’s excommunication there were hardly thirty people come to hear it. That speak a discontent, I think.
– Arthur Miller
The Crucible, Act 4. Parris tells Danforth that barely thirty witnesses turned up for Proctor’s excommunication. This suggests that local people are not happy with so many in their community being arrested, accused of witchcraft and sentenced to death. This quote speaks to Proctor’s reputation as a highly respected landowner and farmer in Salem.