Page 179 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

eyes and the light, looked reproachfully at the yeoman, and
straightway placed it at his own lips. When it came away
again there was nought within it.
‘Doss thou know the country hereabouts, thou good and
holy man?’ asked Robin, laughing.
‘Yea, somewhat,’ answered the other dryly.
‘And dost thou know of a certain spot called Fountain
Abbey?’
‘Yea, somewhat.’
‘Then perchance thou knowest also of a certain one who
goeth by the name of the Curtal Friar of Fountain Abbey.’
‘Yea, somewhat.’
‘Well then, good fellow, holy father, or whatever thou art,’
quoth Robin, ‘I would know whether this same Friar is to be
found upon this side of the river or the other.’
‘That,’ quoth the Friar, ‘is a practical question upon which
the cunning rules appertaining to logic touch not. I do ad-
vise thee to find that out by the aid of thine own five senses;
sight, feeling, and what not.’
‘I do wish much,’ quoth Robin, looking thoughtfully at
the stout priest, ‘to cross yon ford and strive to find this
same good Friar.’
‘Truly,’ said the other piously, ‘it is a goodly wish on the
part of one so young. Far be it from me to check thee in so
holy a quest. Friend, the river is free to all.’
‘Yea, good father,’ said Robin, ‘but thou seest that my
clothes are of the finest and I fain would not get them wet.
Methinks thy shoulders are stout and broad; couldst thou
not find it in thy heart to carry me across?’

1 The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood