Final answer:
Reverend Hale is surprised by the arrival of Cheever and Herrick with a warrant for Elizabeth's arrest because he had previously believed in her innocence. Cheever and Herrick ask Elizabeth about a poppet found in her house that is suspected to be evidence of witchcraft.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Ezekiel Cheever and Herrick, the town marshal, arrive with a warrant for Elizabeth's arrest, Reverend Hale is surprised because he had convinced himself of her innocence. Hale had initially believed that the accusations of witchcraft were unfounded, and he had even questioned the validity of the trials. However, the arrival of Cheever and Herrick with the warrant challenges Hale's assumptions and forces him to confront the reality of the situation.
When Cheever and Herrick ask Elizabeth, they inquire about a poppet (a doll) found in her house that is suspected to be evidence of witchcraft. They question her about its origin and whether she has ever used it to harm someone. The poppet becomes a central piece of evidence in the case against Elizabeth as it is believed to have a needle in it, representing a witch's hex.