Elizabeth states: "John, if it were not Abigail that you must go to hurt, would you falter now? i think not?' explain John's response

Proctor is caught between telling the truth and begging forgiveness or, the easier rout, accusing his wife further of cold jealousy and shortcomings. Proctor chooses the latter,

"You will not judge me more, Elizabeth. I have good reason to think before I charge fraud on Abigail, and I will think on it. Let you look to your own improvement before you go to judge your husband any more. I have forgot Abigail, and-"

He projects all his guilt and regret on his wife, asking her to improve herself before she judges him.