At the beginning of this conversation, Elizabeth wanted John to go tell the town that Abby had told him that "it had naught to do with witchcraft". However, John hesitates, and is ambiguous, saying non-committal phrases such as, "I'll think on it." This angers Elizabeth, because she feels that John "cannot keep it". She thinks it is crucial the town knows that the girls are frauds, and there her husband is, uttering things like, "Aye, 'tis a wonder they believe them," and "I'll think on it," instead of agreeing to go clear it up.
She-rather logically-decides that the reason he isn't exposing Abby is because he still cares about her. His response to her accusation reveals all of the frustration and tension that has existed between them for the past while: "Let you look to your own improvement before you judge your husband any more...you forget nothin' and forgive nothin'...Let you look sometimes for the goodness in me, and judge me not...your justice would freeze beer!" He is defensive, insecure about his sin, looking for kindness, and frustrated. She is insecure too, worried about Abby's place in his heart, and this conversation reveals that tension.
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