To this the fat Friar said never a word, but he stared straight before him, and he gnawed his nether lip.  And now they traveled forward more quietly, Little John in the middle of the road whistling merrily to himself, and the two friars in the footpath on either side saying never a word.

Then presently they met three merry minstrels, all clad in red, who stared amain to see a Gray Friar with such short robes walking in the middle of the road, and two brothers with heads bowed with shame, riding upon richly caparisoned cobs on the footpaths.  When they had come near to the minstrels, Little John waved his staff like an usher clearing the way.  “Make way!” he cried in a loud voice.  “Make way! make way!  For here we go, we three!” Then how the minstrels stared, and how they laughed!  But the fat Friar shook as with an ague, and the lean Friar bowed his head over his horse’s neck.

Then next they met two noble knights in rich array, with hawk on wrist, and likewise two fair ladies clad in silks and velvets, all a-riding on noble steeds.  These all made room, staring, as Little John and the two friars came along the road.  To them Little John bowed humbly.  “Give you greetings, lords and ladies,” said he.  “But here we go, we three.”

Then all laughed, and one of the fair ladies cried out, “What three meanest thou, merry friend?”

Little John looked over his shoulder, for they had now passed each other, and he called back, “Big Jack, lean Jack and fat Jack-pudding.”

At this the fat Friar gave a groan and seemed as if he were like to fall from his saddle for shame; the other brother said nothing, but he looked before him with a grim and stony look.

Just ahead of them the road took a sudden turn around a high hedge, and some twoscore paces beyond the bend another road crossed the one they were riding upon.  When they had come to the crossroad and were well away from those they had left, the lean Friar drew rein suddenly.  “Look ye, fellow,” quoth he in a voice quivering with rage, “we have had enough of thy vile company, and care no longer to be made sport of.  Go thy way, and let us go ours in peace.”

“La there, now!” quoth Little John.  “Methought we were such a merry company, and here thou dost blaze up like fat in the pan.  But truly, I ha’ had enow of you today, though I can ill spare your company.  I know ye will miss me, but gin ye want me again, whisper to Goodman Wind, and he will bring news thereof to me.  But ye see I am a poor man and ye are rich.  I pray you give me a penny or two to buy me bread and cheese at the next inn.”

“We have no money, fellow,” said the lean Friar harshly.  “Come, Brother Thomas, let us forward.”

But Little John caught the horses by the bridle reins, one in either hand.  “Ha’ ye in truth no money about you whatsoever?” said he.  “Now, I pray you, brothers, for charity’s sake, give me somewhat to buy a crust of bread, e’en though it be only a penny.”