“Nay, I have but a small sum with me,” he began apologetically.
“What is that sum, gossip?” questioned Little John, “for my own wage should also come out of it!”
“And mine!” said Much.
“And mine!” smiled Robin.
The Sheriff caught his breath. “By my troth, are all these silver dishes worth anything?”
The outlaws roared heartily at this.
“I’ll tell you what it is, worship,” said Robin, “we three rascally servants will compound our back wages for those plates. And we will keep the herd of cattle free for our own use—and the King’s. But this little tavern bill should be settled! Now, what sum have you about you?”
“I have only those twenty pieces of gold, and twenty others,” said the Sheriff: and well it was that he told the truth for once, for Robin said:
“Count it, Little John.”
Little John turned the Sheriff’s wallet inside out. “‘Tis true enough,” he said.