Page 210 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

Knight; yet I will furthermore tell thee that we count upon
our guests paying a reckoning.’
‘I take thy meaning, friend,’ said the Knight gravely, ‘but
I am not thy man, for I have no money by me.’
‘Is it sooth?’ said Robin, looking at the Knight keenly. ‘I
can scarce choose but believe thee; yet, Sir Knight, there be
those of thy order whose word is not to be trusted as much
as they would have others believe. Thou wilt think no ill if I
look for myself in this matter.’ Then, still holding the horse
by the bridle rein, he put his fingers to his lips and blew a
shrill whistle, whereupon fourscore yeomen came leaping
over the stile and ran to where the Knight and Robin stood.
‘These,’ said Robin, looking upon them proudly, ‘are some of
my merry men. They share and share alike with me all joys
and troubles, gains and losses. Sir Knight, I prythee tell me
what money thou hast about thee.’
For a time the Knight said not a word, but a slow red
arose into his cheeks; at last he looked Robin in the face and
said, ‘I know not why I should be ashamed, for it should
be no shame to me; but, friend, I tell thee the truth, when I
say that in my purse are ten shillings, and that that is every
groat that Sir Richard of the Lea hath in all the wide world.’
When Sir Richard ended a silence fell, until at last Robin
said, ‘And dost thou pledge me thy knightly word that this
is all thou hast with thee?’
‘Yea,’ answered Sir Richard, ‘I do pledge thee my most
solemn word, as a true knight, that it is all the money I have
in the world. Nay, here is my purse, ye may find for your-
selves the truth of what I say.’ And he held his purse out to

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