‘Do you really think I might?’ answered the host. ‘There is one thing I have wanted to ask all along, only I didn’t dare. But you encourage me, and He seems to take a pleasure in giving. I have always had a great wish to live four hundred years.’
‘That is certainly a great deal to ask,’ said St. Peter, ‘but you might try; He is very kind.’
The host did ask, and Jesus Christ granted his petition, and then went His way with His disciples. St. Peter remained last, and said to the host, ‘Now run after him, and ask for the salvation of your soul.’ (‘St. Peter always told them all to ask that,’ added the narrator in a confidential tone.)
‘Oh, I can’t ask anything more, I have asked so much,’ said the host.
‘But that is just the best thing of all, and what He grants the most willingly,’ insisted St. Peter. ‘Really?’ said the host; and he ran after Jesus Christ, and said, ‘Lord! who hast so largely shown me Thy bounty, grant me further the salvation of my soul.’
‘Let it be granted!’ said Jesus Christ; and continued His journey.
All the things the host had asked he received, and life passed away very pleasantly, but still even four hundred years come to an end at last, and with the end of it came Death.
‘What! is that you, Mrs. Death,[10] come already?’ said the host.
‘Why, it’s time I should come, I think; it’s not often I leave people in peace for four hundred years.’
‘All right, but don’t be in a hurry. I have such a fancy for the figs of that fig-tree of mine there. I wish you would just have the kindness to go up and pluck a good provision of them to take with me, and by that time I’ll be ready to go with you.’