Question

The effect of this interaction in the cruciable?

Answer 1

Full question:

PARRIS, to the point: Abigail, is there any other cause than you have told me, for your being discharged from Goody Proctor's service? I have heard it said, and I tell you as I heard it, that she comes so rarely to the church this year for she will not sit so close to something soiled. What signified that remark?

The effect of this interaction in the cruciable?

Parris began to doubt the rumors about Abigail

Parris began to believe the rumors about Abigail

Abigail began to make false accusations against others

Abigail began to come clean about her false accusations

Answer:

Parris began to doubt the rumors about Abigail

Explanation:

After Parris saw the young ladies danced in the forest, Parris started to believed that black magic might exist in his own family unit. This create a fear inside him.  He feared that his good reputation among townsfolk might be destroyed if the townsfolk saw that his girl and niece could be related to the villain that created the black magic.

Prior to this, there's a rumor around the town that Abigail was engaging in witchcraft. He heard rumors that Abigail did something that is similar to his girl at this point.  He refused to believe that his girl is engaged in witchcraft. So , He created a justification in his head that Abigail might not be doing witchcraft after all. She must be doing some other things that created the suspicion.