Mercy cleaves to Christiana, l'imorous leaves her. 219 soul; for what Christiana had said, had taken some hold upon her mind. Wherefore she said within herself again, I will yet have more talk with this Christiana; and, if I find truth and life in what she shall say, I myself with my heart shall also go with her. Wherefore Mercy began thus to reply to her neighbour Timorous : MER. Neighbour, I did indeed come with you to see Christiana this morning; and, since she is, as you see, taking her last farewell of her country, I think to walk this sun-shiny morning a little with her, to help her on her way. But she told her not of the second reason, but kept it to herself. TIM. Well, I see you have a mind to go a fooling too; but take heed in time, and be wise: while we are out of danger, we are out; but when we are in, we are in. So Mrs. Timorous returned to her house, and Christiana betook herself to her jour Timorous forsakes but Mercy cleaves to her. ney. But when Timorous was got her, home to her house, she sends for some of her neighbours, to wit, Mrs. Bat's-Eyes, Mrs. Inconsiderate, Mrs Light-Mind, and Mrs. Know-Nothing. So when they were come to her house, she falls to telling of the story Timorous acquaints of Christiana, and of her intended her friends what the journey. And thus she began her tends to do. tale: good Christiana in TIM. Neighbours, having had little to do this morning, I went to give Christiana a visit; and, when I came at the door, I knocked, as you know it is our custom: and she answered, If you come in God's name, come in. So in I went, thinking all was well but, when I came in, I found her preparing herself to depart the town, she, and also her 220 Mrs. Know-Nothing, Bat's-Eyes,& Inconsiderate. children. So I asked her, what was her meaning by that. And she told me, in short, that she was now of a mind to go on pilgrimage, as did her husband. She told me also a dream that she had, and how the King of the country where her husband was, had sent her an inviting letter to come thither Then said Mrs. Know-Nothing And what do you think she wil. Mrs Know-Nothing. go? TIM. Ay, go she will, whatever comes on't; and methinks I know it by this; for that which was my great argument to persuade her to stay at home, (to wit, the troubles she was like to meet with on the way,) is one great argument with her to put her forward on her journey. For she told me in so many words, The bitter goes before the sweet: yea, and forasmuch as it so doth, it makes the sweet the sweeter. Mrs. Bat's-Eyes. MRS. BAT'S-EYES. Oh, this blind and foolish woman! said she; and will she not take warning by her husband's afflic tions? for my part, I see if he were here again, he would rest himself content in a whole skin, and never run so many hazards for nothing. Mrs. Inconsiderate also replied, saying, Away with such fantastical fools from the Mrs. Inconsiderate. town! a good riddance, for my part, I say, of her! should she stay where she dwells, and retain this her mind, who could live quietly by her? for she will either be dumpish, or unneigh bourly, or talk of such matters as no wise body can abide. Wherefore, for my part, I shall never be sorry for her departure; let her go, and let better come in her room: it was never a good world since these whimsical fools dwelt in it. |