194 THE PILGRIMS PROGRESS.

Know-nothing. So, when they were come to her house, she falls to telling of the story
of Christiana and of her intended journey. And thus she began her tale:

Tim. Neighbors, 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
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 will go?”

Tot. 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 in 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-rves. “Oh, this blind and foolish woman!” said she; “will she not
take warning by her husband’s afflictions? For my part, I see, if he were here again,
he would rest him 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 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 unneighborly, or talk of such matters as no wise body can abide.
Wherefore, for my part, I shal! 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.”

Then Mrs. Light-mind added as followeth: “Come, put this kind of talk away. I
was yesterday at Madam Wanton’s, where we were as merry as the maids. For who
do you think should be there, but I and Mrs. Love-the-Flesh, and three or four more,
with Mr. Lechery, Mrs. Filth, and some others. So there we had music and dancing,
and what else was meet to fill up the pleasure. And, I dare say, my lady herself ig
an admirable well-bred gentlewoman, and Mr. Lechery is as pretty a fellow.”