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How Little John Lived at the Sheriff’s
WhentheStewardsawtheCook,hecametohim,and,puttingonearmoverhisshoulder,"Alas,sweetfriend!"quothhe—fortheCookwasatall,stoutman—"seestthouwhatthatvileknaveReynoldGreenleafhathdone?Hehathbrokeninuponourmaster’sgoods,andhathsmittenmeabuffetupontheear,sothatIthoughtIwasdead.GoodCook,Ilovetheewell,andthoushalthaveagoodpottleofourmaster’sbestwineeveryday,forthouartanoldandfaithfulservant.Also,goodCook,IhavetenshillingsthatImeantogiveasagifttothee.ButhatestthounottoseeavileupstartlikethisReynoldGreenleaftakingituponhimsobravely?"
"Ay,marry,thatdoI,"quoththeCookboldly,forhelikedtheStewardbecauseofhistalkofthewineandofthetenshillings."Gettheegonestraightwaytothyroom,andIwillbringoutthisknavebyhisears."Sosaying,helaidasidehisspitanddrewtheswordthathungbyhisside;whereupontheStewardleftasquicklyashecould,forhehatedthesightofnakedsteel.
ThentheCookwalkedstraightwaytothebrokenpantrydoor,throughwhichhesawLittleJohntuckinganapkinbeneathhischinandpreparingtomakehimselfmerry.
"Why,hownow,ReynoldGreenleaf?"saidtheCook,"thouartnobetterthanathief,Iwot.Comethoustraightforth,man,orIwillcarvetheeasIwouldcarveasuckingpig."
"Nay,goodCook,bearthouthyselfmoreseemingly,orelseIwillcomeforthtothydole.
