They were so proud that it made them feel sick with shame to think of riding along the highroad with a strolling friar, in robes all too short for him, running beside them, but yet they could not make Little John stay against his will, for they knew he could crack the bones of both of them in a twinkling were he so minded.

Then up spake the fat Brother more mildly than he had done before.

"Nay, good brother," said he, "we will ride fast, and thou wilt tire to death at the pace." "Truly, I am grateful to thee for the thought of me," quoth Little John, "but have no fear, brother; my limbs are stout, and I could run like a hare from here to Gainsborough." At these words a sound of laughing came from the bench, whereat the lean Brother's wrath boiled over, like water into the fire, with great fuss and noise.

"Now, out upon thee, thou naughty fellow!" he cried.

"Art thou not ashamed to bring disgrace so upon our cloth?
Bide thee here, thou sot, with these porkers.