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 thought I
should have help from Him from whom all help comes, I would make
no pause, but would go at once, let the way be as rough as it
might.

Christiana:--Well, Mercy, I will tell you what I would have you
do. Go with me as far as to the field gate, and there I will ask;
and if no hopes should be held out to you by Him who keeps the
gate, you can but go back to your home.

Mercy: Well, I will go with you, and the Lord grant that my lot
may be cast to dwell in the land for which my heart yearns.

Christiana then felt glad that she had a friend to join her, and
that her friend should have so great a care for her soul.

So they went on their way; but the face of Mercy wore so sad a
mien that Christiana said to her, What ails you? Why do you weep?

Mercy:--Oh, who could but weep to think of the state of my poor
friends near and dear to me, in our had town?

Christiana:--You feel for your friends as my good Christian did