Page 219 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

der.’ Whereupon the two yeomen did as they were bidden,
those about the cloth making room on the green, where the
light was brightest, for the five horses which Little John and
Will Stutely presently led forward.
‘Who hath the score of the goods?’ asked Robin Hood,
looking at the Black Friars.
Then up spake the smallest of all, in a trembling voice—
an old man he was, with a gentle, wrinkled face. ‘That have
I; but, I pray thee, harm me not.’
‘Nay,’ quoth Robin, ‘I have never harmed harmless man
yet; but give it to me, good father.’ So the old man did as
he was bidden, and handed Robin the tablet on which was
marked down the account of the various packages upon
the horses. This Robin handed to Will Scarlet, bidding him
to read the same. So Will Scarlet, lifting his voice that all
might hear, began:
‘Three bales of silk to Quentin, the mercer at Ancaster.’
‘That we touch not,’ quoth Robin, ‘for this Quentin is an
honest fellow, who hath risen by his own thrift.’ So the bales
of silk were laid aside unopened.
‘ One bale of silk velvet for the Abbey of Beaumont.’
‘What do these priests want of silk velvet?’ quoth Robin.
‘Nevertheless, though they need it not, I will not take all
from them. Measure it off into three lots, one to be sold for
charity, one for us, and one for the abbey.’ So this, too, was
done as Robin Hood bade.
‘Twoscore of great wax candles for the Chapel of Saint
Thomas.’
‘That belongeth fairly to the chapel,’ quoth Robin, ‘so lay

1 The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood