But look ye; not only did
this fellow stop me, but he threatened me, saying that Robin Hood would
strip me as bare as a winter hedge. Then, besides all this, he called me
such vile names as 'fat priest,' 'man-eating bishop,' 'money-gorging
usurer,' and what not, as though I were no more than a strolling beggar
or tinker."
At this, the Bishop glared like an angry cat, while even Sir Richard
laughed; only Robin kept a grave face. "Alas! my lord," said he, "that
thou hast been so ill-treated by my band! I tell thee truly that we
greatly reverence thy cloth. Little John, stand forth straightway."
At these words Little John came forward, twisting his face into a
whimsical look, as though he would say, "Ha' mercy upon me, good
master." Then Robin turned to the Bishop of Hereford and said, "Was this
the man who spake so boldly to Your Lordship?"
"Ay, truly it was the same," said the Bishop, "a naughty fellow, I wot.
"And didst thou, Little John," said Robin in a sad voice, "call his
lordship a fat priest?"
"Ay," said Little John sorrowfully.
"And a man-eating bishop?"
"Ay," said Little John, more sorrowfully than before.
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