Page 134 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

the road, and there will we eat our meal.’
So Little John gave Arthur the money, and the others
stepped to the thicket, there to await the return of the Tan-
ner.
After a time he came back, bearing with him a great
brown loaf of bread, and a fair, round cheese, and a goat-
skin full of stout March beer, slung over his shoulders. Then
Will Scarlet took his sword and divided the loaf and the
cheese into four fair portions, and each man helped him-
self. Then Robin Hood took a deep pull at the beer. ‘Aha!’
said he, drawing in his breath, ‘never have I tasted sweeter
drink than this.’
After this no man spake more, but each munched away
at his bread and cheese lustily, with ever and anon a pull at
the beer.
At last Will Scarlet looked at a small piece of bread he
still held in his hand, and quoth he, ‘Methinks I will give
this to the sparrows.’ So, throwing it from him, he brushed
the crumbs from his jerkin.
‘I, too,’ quoth Robin, ‘have had enough, I think.’ As for
Little John and the Tanner, they had by this time eaten ev-
ery crumb of their bread and cheese.
‘Now,’ quoth Robin, ‘I do feel myself another man, and
would fain enjoy something pleasant before going farther
upon our journey. I do bethink me, Will, that thou didst
use to have a pretty voice, and one that tuned sweetly upon
a song. Prythee, give us one ere we journey farther.’
‘Truly, I do not mind turning a tune,’ answered Will
Scarlet, ‘but I would not sing alone.’

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