She was wearing the floor-length, dark cotton dress she was hanged in, complete with a white lace cap. “Rebecca?” Em’s voice expressed her disbelief. Rebecca Nurse was a kindly grandmother who had been hanged as a witch on July 19, 1692. Her son, Benjamin, had retrieved her body from their mass grave on the evening of her hanging. She was reburied by her family on the large Nurse estate. Em had always believed that she and the other two whose bodies had been retrieved by their families — George Jacobs and John Proctor — were at peace. “Goodwife Corey!” the ghost scolded Em. “What are you wearing?” “I . . .” Em looked down at her long-sleeved T-shirt and jeans. “Uh . . .” George covered Em’s hand with his own to encourage her. “Why, Reverend Burroughs!” Rebecca exclaimed. “What of your wife? Have you no shame?”
