Dulcibel had never reasoned about such things; she was a maiden who naturally shrank from masculine self-assertion and publicity; but, called to confront a great peril, she was true to the noble instincts of her family and her race, and could meet falsehood with indignant denial and contempt.

How she had been led to utter those predictions she never fully understood--not at the time nor afterwards.
She seemed to herself to be a mere reed through which some indignant angel was speaking.
"Well," said Joseph Putnam, as they got clear of the crowd, "brother Thomas and sister Ann have wakened up the tiger at last.

They will be "afflicted" now in dead earnest.

Did you see how sister Ann, with all her assurance, grew pale and almost fainted?
It serves her right; she deserves it; and Thomas too, for being such a dupe and fool." "Do you think it will come true ?" said Master Raymond.
"Of course it will; the prediction will fulfill itself.

Thomas is superstitious beyond all reasonableness; and good Mistress Ann, my pious sister-in-law, is almost as bad as he is, notwithstanding her lies and trickery.