Final answer:
Hathorne insinuates that Mary's inability to faint on command implies her previous fainting episodes, crucial in earlier witchcraft accusations, may have been deceitful or manipulated, casting doubt on her authenticity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The point Hathorne makes about Mary fainting is that her inability to faint on command casts doubt on the authenticity of her previous fainting episodes in the court. Essentially, Hathorne is suggesting that if Mary could faint before as part of the evidence of witchcraft, she should be able to faint on command as proof of her sincerity and the validity of her earlier actions.
However, Mary cannot faint on command, which implies to Hathorne and the court that her previous episodes were not genuine but were instead fabricated or induced by some other means. This inability creates suspicion that she was lying or acting under the influence of the court or others rather than being truly overcome by a spiritual or supernatural force.