``Ho!ho!mykingdomandmysubjects?’’answeredRichard,impatiently;``Itellthee,SirWilfred,thebestofthemaremostwillingtorepaymyfolliesinkind——Forexample,myveryfaithfulservant,WilfredofIvanhoe,willnotobeymypositivecommands,andyetreadshiskingahomily,becausehedoesnotwalkexactlybyhisadvice。
Whichofushasmostreasontoupbraidtheother?——
Yetforgiveme,myfaithfulWilfred。ThetimeIhavespent,andamyettospendinconcealment,is,asIexplainedtotheeatSaintBotolph’s,necessarytogivemyfriendsandfaithfulnoblestimetoassembletheirforces,thatwhenRichard’sreturnisannounced,heshouldbeattheheadofsuchaforceasenemiesshalltrembletoface,andthussubduethemeditatedtreason,withoutevenunsheathingasword。EstotevilleandBohunwillnotbestrongenoughtomoveforwardtoYorkfortwenty-fourhours。ImusthavenewsofSalisburyfromthesouth;andofBeauchamp,inWarwickshire;
andofMultonandPercyinthenorth。TheChancellormustmakesureofLondon。Toosuddenanappearancewouldsubjectmetodangers,otherthanmylanceandsword,thoughbackedbythebowofboldRobin,orthequarter-staffofFriarTuck,andthehornofthesageWamba,maybeabletorescuemefrom。’’
Wilfredbowedinsubmission,wellknowinghowvainitwastocontendwiththewildspiritofchivalrywhichsooftenimpelledhismasterupondangerswhichhemighteasilyhaveavoided,orrather,whichitwasunpardonableinhimtohavesoughtout。Theyoungknightsighed,therefore,andheldhispeace;whileRichard,rejoicedathavingsilencedhiscounsellor,thoughhisheartacknowledgedthejusticeofthechargehehadbroughtagainsthim,wentoninconversationwithRobinHood——``KingofOutlaws,’’hesaid,``haveyounorefreshmenttooffertoyourbrothersovereign?forthesedeadknaveshavefoundmebothinexerciseandappetite。’’