Art not thou the great Robin Hood ?" "Thou hast hit the bull's eye," quoth Robin, clapping him upon the shoulder.

"Men hereabouts do call me by that name.

Sin' thou knowest me, thou knowest also that he who feasteth with me must pay his reckoning.

I trust thou hast a full purse with thee, fair stranger." "Alas!" said the stranger, "I have no purse nor no money either, saving only the half of a sixpence, the other half of which mine own dear love doth carry in her bosom, hung about her neck by a strand of silken thread." At this speech a great shout of laughter went up from those around, whereat the poor boy looked as he would die of shame; but Robin Hood turned sharply to Will Stutely.

"Why, how now," quoth he, "is this the guest that thou hast brought us to fill our purse?
Methinks thou hast brought but a lean cock to the market." "Nay, good master," answered Will Stutely, grinning, "he is no guest of mine; it was Will Scarlet that brought him thither." Then up spoke Will Scarlet, and told how they had found the lad in sorrow, and how he had brought him to Robin, thinking that he might perchance aid him in his trouble.