Page 260 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

Then all laughed, and one of the fair ladies cried out,
‘What three meanest thou, merry friend?’
Little John looked over his shoulder, for they had now
passed each other, and he called back, ‘Big Jack, lean Jack
and fat Jack-pudding.’
At this the fat Friar gave a groan and seemed as if he were
like to fall from his saddle for shame; the other brother said
nothing, but he looked before him with a grim and stony
look.
Just ahead of them the road took a sudden turn around
a high hedge, and some twoscore paces beyond the bend
another road crossed the one they were riding upon. When
they had come to the crossroad and were well away from
those they had left, the lean Friar drew rein suddenly. ‘Look
ye, fellow,’ quoth he in a voice quivering with rage, ‘we have
had enough of thy vile company, and care no longer to be
made sport of. Go thy way, and let us go ours in peace.’
‘La there, now!’ quoth Little John. ‘Methought we were
such a merry company, and here thou dost blaze up like fat
in the pan. But truly, I ha’ had enow of you today, though I
can ill spare your company. I know ye will miss me, but gin
ye want me again, whisper to Goodman Wind, and he will
bring news thereof to me. But ye see I am a poor man and ye
are rich. I pray you give me a penny or two to buy me bread
and cheese at the next inn.’
‘We have no money, fellow,’ said the lean Friar harshly.
‘Come, Brother Thomas, let us forward.’
But Little John caught the horses by the bridle reins, one
in either hand. ‘Ha’ ye in truth no money about you whatso-