"
Young Robin was silent for a moment or two, and then he said
quickly:
"You might tell Little John to take me home. My father would be so
glad to see him."
Robin Hood and the big fellow just named looked at one another and
laughed.
"Yes," said Robin Hood, patting the boy on the shoulder, "now
that's just it. Your father, the Sheriff, would be so glad to see
Little John that he would keep him altogether; and I can't spare
him."
"I don't think my father would be so unkind," said Robin.
"But I am sure he would, little man," said the outlaw. "He'd be so
glad to get him that he would spoil him. Eh, John? What do you
think?"
"Ay, that he would," said Little John, shaking his head. "He'd be
sure to spoil me. He'd cut me shorter, perhaps, or else hang me up
for an ornament. No, my little man, I couldn't take you home."
"There," said the outlaw, smiling; "you must wait, my boy. Try and
be contented as you are. Maid Marian's very kind to you, is she
not?"
"Oh! yes," cried the boy, with his face lighting up, "and that's
why I don't want to go."
"Hullo!" growled Little John. "Why, you said just now that you did
want to go!" "Did I?" said the boy thoughtfully.
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