Мхи старої садиби
The Celestial Railroad
"Ihavelonghadacuriositytovisitthatoldmansion,"remarkedI.
"Itisnotoneofourstations,asyouperceive,"saidmycompanion"Thekeeperwasviolentlyopposedtotherailroad;andwellhemightbe,asthetracklefthishouseofentertainmentononeside,andthuswasprettycertaintodeprivehimofallhisreputablecustomers.Butthefootpathstillpasseshisdoor,andtheoldgentlemannowandthenreceivesacallfromsomesimpletraveller,andentertainshimwithfareasold-fashionedashimself."
BeforeourtalkonthissubjectcametoaconclusionwewererushingbytheplacewhereChristian’sburdenfellfromhisshouldersatthesightoftheCross.ThisservedasathemeforMr.Smooth-it-away,Mr.Livefor-the-world,Mr.Hide-sin-in-the-heart,Mr.Scaly-conscience,andaknotofgentlemenfromthetownofShun-repentance,todescantupontheinestimableadvantagesresultingfromthesafetyofourbaggage.Myself,andallthepassengersindeed,joinedwithgreatunanimityinthisviewofthematter;forourburdenswererichinmanythingsesteemedpreciousthroughouttheworld;and,especially,weeachofuspossessedagreatvarietyoffavoriteHabits,whichwetrustedwouldnotbeoutoffashioneveninthepolitecirclesoftheCelestialCity.Itwouldhavebeenasadspectacletoseesuchanassortmentofvaluablearticlestumblingintothesepulchre.Thuspleasantlyconversingonthefavorablecircumstancesofourpositionascomparedwiththoseofpastpilgrimsandofnarrow-mindedonesatthepresentday,wesoonfoundourselvesatthefootoftheHillDifficulty.
