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How Little John Lived at the Sheriff’s
ButtheCookdidnotlagfarbehind,forstraightwayhishandsalsoweredeeplythrustwithinthegoodlypasty.Afterthis,neitherofthemspokefurther,butusedtheirteethtobetterpurpose.Butthoughneitherspoke,theylookedatoneanother,eachthinkingwithinhimselfthathehadneverseenamorelustyfellowthantheoneacrosstheboard.
Atlast,afteralongtimehadpassed,theCookdrewafull,deepbreath,asthoughofmuchregret,andwipedhishandsuponthenapkin,forhecouldeatnomore.LittleJohn,also,hadenough,forhepushedthepastyaside,asthoughhewouldsay,"Iwanttheebymenomore,goodfriend."Thenhetookthepottleofsack,andsaidhe,"Now,goodfellow,Iswearbyallthatisbright,thatthouartthestoutestcompanionateatingthateverIhad.Lo!Idrinkthyhealth."Sosaying,heclappedtheflasktohislipsandcasthiseyesaloft,whilethegoodwinefloodedhisthroat.ThenhepassedthepottletotheCook,whoalsosaid,"Lo,Idrinkthyhealth,sweetfellow!"NorwashebehindLittleJohnindrinkinganymorethanineating.
"Now,"quothLittleJohn,"thyvoiceisrightroundandsweet,jollylad.Idoubtnotthoucanstsingaballadmostblithely;canstthounot?"
"Truly,Ihavetrolledonenowandthen,"quoththeCook,"yetIwouldnotsingalone."
"Nay,truly,"saidLittleJohn,"thatwerebutillcourtesy.Strikeupthyditty,andIwillafterwardsingonetomatchit,ifIcan.
"Sobeit,prettyboy,"quoththeCook.
