After reading · Section 13

Section 13At the Wicket-Gate

Summary

Mercy commits herself to Christiana’s company despite lacking a direct invitation. The travellers struggle across the neglected Slough of Despond and hesitate at a dog’s barking before knocking at the wicket-gate. The Keeper receives Christiana and her sons; Mercy, left outside, knocks until she faints and is also admitted. He promises pardon “by word and deed,” explaining that the enemy owns the dog but cannot exceed limits set upon it.

After the party is fed and has its feet washed, the travellers are directed onward, and the boys take fruit from the enemy’s garden. Two men then assault the women, but a Reliever answers their cries and drives the attackers away. He rebukes them for failing to request a conductor. Christiana admits that joy made her forget; Mercy recognizes both their fault and the grace of rescue they had not asked for.

Who’s who

• The Keeper — the Lord at the gate, who admits, pardons, teaches, and directs.
• The Reliever — the servant who rescues the women and corrects their neglect.
• The two ill-favoured men — assailants from the enemy’s ground.
• Christiana’s sons — young pilgrims who take forbidden fruit despite warning.