ou heard how he met with the beasts of prey and
Apollyon, what he saw in the Valley of the Shadow of Death, and more
still that makes my hair stand on end to hear of; think, too, of these
four sweet boys who are your own flesh and bone; and, though you should
be so rash as to wish to go, yet for their sale, I pray you keep at
home.

But Christiana said: Tempt me not. I have now a chance put in my hand
to get gain, and in truth I should be a fool if I had not the heart to
grasp it. And these toils and snares that you tell me of shall not keep
me back; no, they serve but to show me that I am in the right. Care
must first be felt, then joy. So since you came not to my house in God's
name, as I said, I pray you to be gone, and tempt me no more.

Then Timorous said to Mercy (who had come with her): Let us leave her in
her own hands, since she scorns all that I say.

But Mercy thought that if her friend Christiana must be gone, she would
go part of the way with her to help her. She took some thought, too, of
her own soul, for what Christiana had said had laid hold on her mind,
and she felt she must have some talk with this friend; and if she found
that truth and life were in her words, she would join her with all her
heart.

So Mercy said to Timorous: I came with you to see Christiana, and since
on this day she takes leave of the town, I think the least I can do
would be to walk a short way with her to help her on. But the rest she
kept from Timorous.

Timorous:--Well, I see you have a mind to play the fool, too; but take
heed in good time, and be wise.

So Mrs. Timorous went to her own house; and Christiana, with her four
boys and Mercy, went on their way.

Mercy, said Christiana, I take this as a great boon that you should set
foot out of doors to start me on my way.

Then said young Mercy (for she was quite young): If I thought it would
be good to join you, I would not go back at all to the town.

Christiana:--Well, Mercy, cast your lot in with mine; I know what will
be the end of our toils. Christian is where he would not fail to be for
all the gold in the mines of Spain. Nor shall you be sent back, though
there be no one but I to ask it for you; for the King who has sent for
me and my boys is One who turns not from those who seek Him. If you like
I will hire you, and you shall go as my maid, and yet shall share all
things with me, so that you do but go.

Mercy:--But how do I know that I shall be let in? If I