Then how he
gaped and how he stared, for there beside him lay one all shaven and
shorn, so that he knew that it must be a fellow in holy orders. He
pinched himself sharply, but, finding he was awake, sat up in bed, while
the other slumbered as peacefully as though he were safe and sound at
home in Emmet Priory. "Now," quoth Robin to himself, "I wonder how this
thing hath dropped into my bed during the night." So saying, he arose
softly, so as not to waken the other, and looking about the room he
espied the friar's clothes lying upon a bench near the wall. First he
looked at the clothes, with his head on one side, and then he looked at
the friar and slowly winked one eye. Quoth he, "Good Brother What-e'er-
thy-name-may-be, as thou hast borrowed my bed so freely I'll e'en borrow
thy clothes in return." So saying, he straightway donned the holy man's
garb, but kindly left the cobbler's clothes in the place of it. Then he
went forth into the freshness of the morning, and the stableman that was
up and about the stables opened his eyes as though he saw a green mouse
before him, for such men as the friars of Emmet were not wont to be
early risers; but the man bottled his thoughts, and only asked Robin
whether he wanted his mule brought from the stable.
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