Chapter X

The Pilgrims arrive at the House of Gaius, where they are hospitably entertained.

Now as they were thus in their way, there came one running to meet theni, and said, " Gentlemen, and you of the weaker sort, if you love life, shift for yourselves, for the robhers are before you."

Great-heart. Then said Mr. Great-heart, They be the three that set upon Little-faith heretofore. (See Part I. p. 149.) Well, said he, we are ready for them. So they went on their way. Now they looked at every turning when they should have met with the villains: but whether they heard of Mr. Great-heart, or whether they had some other game, they came not up to the pilgrims.

Christiana then wished for an inn to refresh herself and her children, because they were weary. Then said Mr. Honest, there is one a little before us, where a very honourable disciple (one Gatas)

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dwells. So they all concluded to turn in thither («.)' and the rather, because the old gentleman pave him tfo good a report. So when the? came to the door, / they went in, not knocking, for folks use not to knock at the door of an inn. Then they called for ihe master of the house, and he came to them: so they asked if they might lie there that night?

Gains. Yes, gentlemen, if you be true men, for my house is for none but pilgrims. Then was Christiana, Mercy, and the boys, the more glad, for that the inn-keeper was a lover of pilgrims. So they called for rooms, and he showed them one for Christiana and her children, and Mercy, and another for Mr. Great-heart and the old gentleman.

Great-heart. Then said Mr. Great-heart, Good Gaius, what hast thou for supper? for these pilgrims have come far to-day, and are weary.

Gaius. It is late, said Gaius, so we cannot conveniently go out to seek food ; but such as we hare, you shall be welcome to, if that will content you.

Great-heart. We will be content with what thou hast in the house; forasmuch as I have proved thee, thou art never destitute of that which is convenient.

Then he went down and spake to the cook, whose name was, Taste-that-which-is-good, to get readysupper for so many pilgrims. This done, he comes up again, saying, Come, my good friends, you are welcome to me; and I am glad that I have a house to entertain you ; and while supper is making ready, if you please, let us entertain one another with some good discourse : so they all said, Content.

Gaius. Then said Giaus, Whose wife is this aged matron? and whose daughter is this young damsel?

Great-heart. The woman is the wife of one Christian, a pilgrim of former times; and these are his four children. The maid isonecf her acquaintance., one that she hath persuaded to come with her ou

pilgrimage—The boys take all after their father, and covet to tread io his steps: yea, if they do but see any place where the old pilgrim hath lain, or a