Page:John Bunyan's Dream Story.djvu/148

144 "Suffer little children to come unto me," he said, and with that, he shut the wicket.

Now all this while, Mercy stood outside, trembling and crying; neither did she venture to make herself known. When Christiana saw that the maiden had been left behind, she began to intercede for her. "I have a dear friend who is waiting outside," she said. "She is on the same errand as myself; but she had not the courage to come in, seeing that no one has invited her."

At that moment a sudden knocking at the gate was heard. It was so loud that it startled those who were within.

"Who is there?" cried the keeper.

And Christiana answered, "It must be my friend."

So he opened the gate and looked out. But Mercy had fainted and had fallen upon the ground; for she was afraid that no gate would be opened to her, and the barking of the dog filled her with alarm.

Then the keeper took her by the hand and lifted her up. And when she had revived a little, he led her gently in and welcomed her to the place. So now all were safe on the safe side of the wicket gate; and while