It is not so, brother ?" At this the Tinker and the Peddler and the Beggar nudged one another, and all grinned, and the friars scowled blackly at Little John; but they could think of nothing further to say, so they turned to their horses.
Then Little John arose of a sudden from the bench where he sat, and ran to where the brothers of Fountain Abbey were mounting.

Quoth he, "Let me hold your horses' bridles for you.

Truly, your words have smitten my sinful heart, so that I will abide no longer in this den of evil, but will go forward with you.

No vile temptation, I wot, will fall upon me in such holy company." "Nay, fellow," said the lean Brother harshly, for he saw that Little John made sport of them, "we want none of thy company, so get thee gone." "Alas," quoth Little John, "I am truly sorry that ye like me not nor my company, but as for leaving you, it may not be, for my heart is so moved, that, willy-nilly, I must go with you for the sake of your holy company." Now, at this talk all the good fellows on the bench grinned till their teeth glistened, and even the landlord could not forbear to smile.

As for the friars, they looked at one another with a puzzled look, and knew not what to do in the matter.