Thomas, Thomas, I pray you, leap not to witchcraft. I know that you – you least of all, Thomas, would ever wish so disastrous a charge laid upon me. We cannot leap to witchcraft. They will howl me out of Salem for such a corruption in my house.
– Arthur Miller
The Crucible, Act 1. Parris knows that he cannot have his household associated with witchcraft. Otherwise he will be driven out of Salem and lose his career as a minister. He pleads with Thomas Putnam not to jump to conclusions about witchcraft being the cause of their children’s illness. Parris is trying desperately to preserve his reputation, but doesn’t seem over-concerned about his daughter.