"Easy part," murmured Will Scarlet, in between.
"And then give it up," went on Robin, ignoring the interruption. "After that I shall say, 'You don't know why Rooke's House and Holbeck's House should always be able to work together? Why, because there's a Forge in one house, and a lot of bright sparks in the other.'"
"I don't see that," said Little John, rubbing his chin.
He was the only one who didn't. All the rest voted it "ripping".
"But mayn't some Holbeckians think it rather a slur on their house, Robin?"
"Out upon them for thin-skinned clowns if they do. There are hits at both houses. To you, Little John, I shall put the conundrum—'Why do Rooke's scholars need smoked glasses on prize distribution day?' Gaze at me in puzzled fashion, and I'll answer—'So's they can Luke at Harwood when he dazzles them with his brilliance'."
"Tophole!" was the general verdict.
"That's a smack at the other House which balances things," said David of Doncaster.
"To me it seems rather a left-handed swipe," Will Scarlet commented. "Almost as if Luke Harwood were swanking about with prizes under his arm, you know."
"An it please him to put the cap on, let none say him nay," quoth Robin. "I will hie me to the next item, which is a riddle in rhyme. List, good my men: