Giles Corey feels tremendously guilty at the beginning of Act Three because he feels that he is responsible for his wife's arrest and trial. He says, "I only said she were readin' books, sir, and they come and take her out of my house [...]." Giles has essentially given the court enough information about his wife to convict her, without realizing that was what he was doing.
Giles refers to a conversation between himself and Mr. Hale from Act One. In front of others, including the Putnams (the family held largely responsible for the witch hysteria and trials), he asked Hale, "what signifies the readin' of strange books?" He explained that he sometimes wakes up to find his wife reading books, books that she hides. He continued, saying that, on the night prior, he was unable to pray while she was in the room, and then, when she left the house, he could pray again. Giles seemed to be curious only; he certainly didn't mean to get his wife accused of witchcraft. However, he now realizes his mistake, "openly weeping," and says, "I have broke charity with the woman, I have broke charity with her."
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