Page 257 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

his will, for they knew he could crack the bones of both
of them in a twinkling were he so minded. Then up spake
the fat Brother more mildly than he had done before. ‘Nay,
good brother,’ said he, ‘we will ride fast, and thou wilt tire
to death at the pace.’
‘Truly, I am grateful to thee for the thought of me,’ quoth
Little John, ‘but have no fear, brother; my limbs are stout,
and I could run like a hare from here to Gainsborough.’
At these words a sound of laughing came from the bench,
whereat the lean Brother’s wrath boiled over, like water
into the fire, with great fuss and noise. ‘Now, out upon thee,
thou naughty fellow!’ he cried. ‘Art thou not ashamed to
bring disgrace so upon our cloth? Bide thee here, thou sot,
with these porkers. Thou art no fit company for us.’
‘La, ye there now!’ quoth Little John. ‘Thou hearest, land-
lord; thou art not fit company for these holy men; go back to
thine alehouse. Nay, if these most holy brothers of mine do
but give me the word, I’ll beat thy head with this stout staff
till it is as soft as whipped eggs.’
At these words a great shout of laughter went up from
those on the bench, and the landlord’s face grew red as a
cherry from smothering his laugh in his stomach; but he
kept his merriment down, for he wished not to bring the
ill-will of the brothers of Fountain Abbey upon him by un-
seemly mirth. So the two brethren, as they could do nought
else, having mounted their nags, turned their noses toward
Lincoln and rode away.
‘I cannot stay longer, sweet friends,’ quoth Little John, as
he pushed in betwixt the two cobs, ‘therefore I wish you

The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood