" So saying, he twirled his stout staff
till it whistled again.
At this speech both friars grew as pale as dough. Down slipped the fat
Brother from off his horse on one side, and down slipped the lean
Brother on the other.
"Now, brothers, down on your knees and pray," said Little John;
thereupon, putting his heavy hands upon the shoulder of each, he forced
them to their knees, he kneeling also. Then Little John began to
beseech Saint Dunstan for money, which he did in a great loud voice.
After he had so besought the Saint for a time, he bade the friars feel
in their pouches and see if the Saint had sent them anything; so each
put his hand slowly in the pouch that hung beside him, but brought
nothing thence.
"Ha!" quoth Little John, "have your prayers so little virtue? Then let
us at it again." Then straightway he began calling on Saint Dunstan
again, somewhat in this wise: "O gracious Saint Dunstan! Send some
money straightway to these poor folk, lest the fat one waste away and
grow as lean as the lean one, and the lean one waste away to nothing at
all, ere they get to Lincoln Town; but send them only ten shillings
apiece, lest they grow puffed up with pride, Any more than that that
thou sendest, send to me.
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