Page 158 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

thou wilt presently find, for a fine feast is a-cooking for thee.
Thou art our honored guest this day.’
Still the young stranger looked about him, as though in
a dream. Presently he turned to Robin. ‘Methinks,’ said he,
‘I know now where I am and what hath befallen me. Art not
thou the great Robin Hood?’
‘Thou hast hit the bull’s eye,’ quoth Robin, clapping him
upon the shoulder. ‘Men hereabouts do call me by that
name. Sin’ thou knowest me, thou knowest also that he who
feasteth with me must pay his reckoning. I trust thou hast a
full purse with thee, fair stranger.’
‘Alas!’ said the stranger, ‘I have no purse nor no money
either, saving only the half of a sixpence, the other half of
which mine own dear love doth carry in her bosom, hung
about her neck by a strand of silken thread.’
At this speech a great shout of laughter went up from
those around, whereat the poor boy looked as he would die
of shame; but Robin Hood turned sharply to Will Stutely.
‘Why, how now,’ quoth he, ‘is this the guest that thou hast
brought us to fill our purse? Methinks thou hast brought
but a lean cock to the market.’
‘Nay, good master,’ answered Will Stutely, grinning, ‘he
is no guest of mine; it was Will Scarlet that brought him
thither.’
Then up spoke Will Scarlet, and told how they had found
the lad in sorrow, and how he had brought him to Robin,
thinking that he might perchance aid him in his trouble.
Then Robin Hood turned to the youth, and, placing his
hand upon the other’s shoulder, held him off at arm’s length,

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