Page 180 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

‘Now, by the white hand of the holy Lady of the Foun-
tain!’ burst forth the Friar in a mighty rage, ‘dost thou,
thou poor puny stripling, thou kiss-my-lady-la poppenjay;
thou—thou What shall I call thee? Dost thou ask me, the
holy Tuck, to carry thee? Now I swear—‘ Here he paused
suddenly, then slowly the anger passed from his face, and
his little eyes twinkled once more. ‘But why should I not?’
quoth he piously.
‘Did not the holy Saint Christopher ever carry the strang-
er across the river? And should I, poor sinner that I am, be
ashamed to do likewise? Come with me, stranger, and I will
do thy bidding in an humble frame of mind.’ So saying, he
clambered up the bank, closely followed by Robin, and led
the way to the shallow pebbly ford, chuckling to himself the
while as though he were enjoying some goodly jest within
himself.
Having come to the ford, he girded up his robes about
his loins, tucked his good broadsword beneath his arm,
and stooped his back to take Robin upon it. Suddenly he
straightened up. ‘Methinks,’ quoth he, ‘thou’lt get thy weap-
on wet. Let me tuck it beneath mine arm along with mine
own.’
‘Nay, good father,’ said Robin, ‘I would not burden thee
with aught of mine but myself.’
‘Dost thou think,’ said the Friar mildly, ‘that the good
Saint Christopher would ha’ sought his own ease so? Nay,
give me thy tool as I bid thee, for I would carry it as a pen-
ance to my pride.’
Upon this, without more ado, Robin Hood unbuckled

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