Read this passage from Act 1, Part 6, of The Crucible by Arthur Miller.
HALE: Pray you, someone take these!
PARRIS (delighted): Mr. Hale! Oh! it’s good to see you again! (taking some books) My, they’re heavy!
HALE (setting down his books): They must be; they are weighted with authority.
PARRIS (a little scared): Well, you do come prepared!
HALE: We shall need hard study if it comes to tracking down the Old Boy.
What is the meaning of the phrase “the Old Boy” in Reverend Hale’s final statement?
Group of answer choices
It is a respectful way to refer to Parris.
It is a humorous way to refer to spirits and witchcraft.
It is a form of personification to refer to the truth.
It is a familiar, casual way to refer to the Devil.