Page 261 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

ever?’ said he. ‘Now, I pray you, brothers, for charity’s sake,
give me somewhat to buy a crust of bread, e’en though it be
only a penny.’
‘I tell thee, fellow, we have no money,’ thundered the fat
little Friar with the great voice.
‘Ha’ ye, in holy truth, no money?’ asked Little John.
‘Not a farthing,’ said the lean Friar sourly.
‘Not a groat,’ said the fat Friar loudly.
‘Nay,’ quoth Little John, ‘this must not be. Far be it from
me to see such holy men as ye are depart from me with no
money. Get both of you down straightway from off your
horses, and we will kneel here in the middle of the cross-
roads and pray the blessed Saint Dunstan to send us some
money to carry us on our journey.’
‘What sayest thou, thou limb of evil!’ cried the lean Friar,
fairly gnashing his teeth with rage. ‘Doss thou bid me, the
high cellarer of Fountain Abbey, to get down from my horse
and kneel in the dirty road to pray to some beggarly Saxon
saint?’
‘Now,’ quoth Little John, ‘I ha’ a great part of a mind to
crack thy head for thee for speaking thus of the good Saint
Dunstan! But get down straightway, for my patience will
not last much longer, and I may forget that ye are both in
holy orders.’ So saying, he twirled his stout staff till it whis-
tled again.
At this speech both friars grew as pale as dough. Down
slipped the fat Brother from off his horse on one side, and
down slipped the lean Brother on the other.
‘Now, brothers, down on your knees and pray,’ said Little

0 The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood