"Think ye that your beggarly feast was worth three pounds, let alone three hundred ?" "Nay," quoth Robin gravely.

"Speak not so roundly, Your Worship.

I do love thee for the sweet feast thou hast given me this day in merry Nottingham Town; but there be those here who love thee not so much.

If thou wilt look down the cloth thou wilt see Will Stutely, in whose eyes thou hast no great favor; then two other stout fellows are there here that thou knowest not, that were wounded in a brawl nigh Nottingham Town, some time ago--thou wottest when; one of them was sore hurt in one arm, yet he hath got the use of it again.

Good Sheriff, be advised by me; pay thy score without more ado, or maybe it may fare ill with thee." As he spoke the Sheriff's ruddy cheeks grew pale, and he said nothing more but looked upon the ground and gnawed his nether lip.