"Get thee gone straightway to thy room, and I will bring out this knave by his ears." So saying, he laid aside his spit and drew the sword that hung by his side; whereupon the Steward left as quickly as he could, for he hated the sight of naked steel.
Then the Cook walked straightway to the broken pantry door, through which he saw Little John tucking a napkin beneath his chin and preparing to make himself merry.
"Why, how now, Reynold Greenleaf ?" said the Cook, "thou art no better than a thief, I wot.

Come thou straight forth, man, or I will carve thee as I would carve a sucking pig." "Nay, good Cook, bear thou thyself more seemingly, or else I will come forth to thy dole.

At most times I am as a yearling lamb, but when one cometh between me and my meat, I am a raging lion, as it were." "Lion or no lion," quoth the valorous Cook, "come thou straight forth, else thou art a coward heart as well as a knavish thief." "Ha!" cried Little John, "coward's name have I never had; so, look to thyself, good Cook, for I come forth straight, the roaring lion I did speak of but now." Then he, too, drew his sword and came out of the pantry; then, putting themselves into position, they came slowly together, with grim and angry looks; but suddenly Little John lowered his point.

"Hold, good Cook!" said he.

"Now, I bethink me it were ill of us to fight with good victuals standing so nigh, and such a feast as would befit two stout fellows such as we are.