The two spirits which allegedly possess Mary Hall, returning to her body, after almost a year of health, begin to taunt her and her physician. They define themselves as "two little Imps," sent by Goodwife Harods, and Goodwife Youngs that appear "sometimes we are in the shape of Serpents, sometimes of Flyes, sometimes of Rats or Mice; and Gfe Harod sent us to choak this Maid, Mary Hall." They suggest that they would have possessed her father, Goodman Hall," but were unable to, therefor possessed Mary instead. They claim they "came down the Chimny, riding on a stick, and went first to Mary's foot, whereupon her foot trembled first of all her distemper," thus situating the possession as beginning the previous year, during Mary's illness. (32-33)