"
"Is it indeed so?" quoth Robin. "Had I known this, mayhap I had not
come hereabouts in this garb. But I must go forward now, as much depends
upon my journeying. Where goest thou, friend?"
"I go to Grantham," said the Corn Engrosser, "but I shall lodge tonight
at Newark, if I can get so far upon my way."
"Why, I myself am on the way to Newark," quoth merry Robin, "so that, as
two honest men are better than one in roads beset by such a fellow as
this Robin Hood, I will jog along with thee, if thou hast no dislike to
my company."
"Why, as thou art an honest fellow and a rich fellow," said the Corn
Engrosser, "I mind not thy company; but, in sooth, I have no great
fondness for beggars."
"Then forward," quoth Robin, "for the day wanes and it will be dark ere
we reach Newark." So off they went, the lean horse hobbling along as
before, and Robin running beside, albeit he was so quaking with laughter
within him that he could hardly stand; yet he dared not laugh aloud,
lest the Corn Engrosser should suspect something. So they traveled along
till they reached a hill just on the outskirts of Sherwood.
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