Page 232 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

and paid all the dues demanded of me; so, as there is no
more betwixt us, I leave this vile place straightway.’ So say-
ing, he turned upon his heel and strode away.
All this time the Sheriff had been staring with wide-open
eyes and mouth agape at the tall man-at-arms, who stood as
though carved out of stone. At last he gasped out, ‘Reynold
Greenleaf!’
At this, the tall man-at-arms, who was no other than Lit-
tle John, turned, grinning, to the Sheriff. ‘I give thee good
den, fair gossip,’ quoth he. ‘I would say, sweet Sheriff, that
I have heard all thy pretty talk this day, and it shall be duly
told unto Robin Hood. So, farewell for the nonce, till we
meet again in Sherwood Forest.’ Then he, also, turned and
followed Sir Richard down the hall, leaving the Sheriff, all
pale and amazed, shrunk together upon his chair.
A merry feast it was to which Sir Richard came, but a sor-
ry lot he left behind him, and little hunger had they for the
princely food spread before them. Only the learned doctor
was happy, for he had his fee.
Now a twelvemonth and a day passed since Prior Vin-
cent of Emmet sat at feast, and once more the mellow fall
of another year had come. But the year had brought great
change, I wot, to the lands of Sir Richard of the Lea; for,
where before shaggy wild grasses grew upon the meadow
lands, now all stretch away in golden stubble, betokening
that a rich and plentiful crop had been gathered therefrom.
A year had made a great change in the castle, also, for, where
were empty moats and the crumbling of neglect, all was
now orderly and well kept.

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