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thinkest best, let us in for the night, say I also.’
So in they went and called for the best that the place af-
forded. Then a right good feast was set before them, with
two stout bottles of old sack to wash it down withal. These
things were served by as plump and buxom a lass as you
could find in all the land, so that Little John, who always
had an eye for a fair lass, even when meat and drink were by,
stuck his arms akimbo and fixed his eyes upon her, winking
sweetly whenever he saw her looking toward him. Then you
should have seen how the lass twittered with laughter, and
how she looked at Little John out of the corners of her eyes,
a dimple coming in either cheek; for the fellow had always a
taking way with the womenfolk.
So the feast passed merrily, and never had that inn seen
such lusty feeders as these four stout fellows; but at last they
were done their eating, though it seemed as though they
never would have ended, and sat loitering over the sack. As
they so sat, the landlord came in of a sudden, and said that
there was one at the door, a certain young esquire, Richard
Partington, of the Queen’s household, who wished to see
the lad in blue, and speak with him, without loss of time. So
Robin arose quickly, and, bidding the landlord not to follow
him, left the others gazing at one another, and wondering
what was about to happen.
When Robin came out of the inn, he found young Rich-
ard Partington sitting upon his horse in the white moonlight,
awaiting his coming.
‘What news bearest thou, Sir Page?’ said Robin. ‘I trust
that it is not of an ill nature.’

1 The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood