“Who is your master?” asked the monk.
“Robin Hood.”
“He is a thief,” said the monk, “and I have never heard aught good of him.”
But Little John answered:
“Thou liest, and thou shalt repent it. He is a yeoman of the forest, and has bidden thee to dine with him.”
Then the yeomen drew their bows, and Much pointed his arrow straight at the monk’s breast.
At this all his followers turned and fled, save only a little page and a groom, who led the pack-horses to Robin Hood, while Much and Little John took the monk in custody between them to their master.
When Robin saw the monk he raised his hood; but the monk was not so courteous, and did not return the greeting.
Then Robin summoned his yeomen, and they prepared the meal, and served the monk with his dinner; and afterwards Robin asked, as was his custom, how much his guest had in his coffers.
“Sir,” said the monk, “but twenty pounds, as I hope to prosper.”