"Is this wisely done?" he muttered.
"What grieves you?" said Little John. "It is alms to help a noble knight who has fallen into poverty. Master," he went on to Robin Hood, "his clothing is full thin; you must give the knight a suit of raiment to wrap himself in. For you have scarlet and green cloth, master, and plenty of rich apparel. I dare well say there is no merchant in England who has a finer store."
"Give him three yards of cloth of every colour," said Robin Hood, "and see that it be well meted out."
Little John took no other measure than his bow, and every handful he measured he leapt over three feet.
"What devilkin's draper do you think you are?" asked little Much in half-angry astonishment.
Will Scarlet stood still and laughed.
"John may well give him good measure," he said. "It cost him but light."
Little John paid no heed to their scoffing, but quietly went on with his task.
"Master," he said to Robin Hood, when he had put aside a bountiful store for their guest, "you must give the knight a horse to carry home all these goods."
"Give him a grey courser, and put a new saddle on it," said Robin.