"But I mean since breakfast yesterday," said young Robin piteously.

"What!" cried Little John. "Why, the poor boy's starved. But we
can soon mend that. Come here!"

Young Robin's first movement was to shrink from the big fellow, but
he smiled down in such a bluff, amiable way, that the boy gave him
his hands, and in an instant he was swung up and sitting six feet
in the air upon the great fellow's shoulder, and then rode off to
an open-fronted shed-like place thatched with reeds, Robin Hood,
with his bow over his shoulder, walking by the side.

"Here, Marian," cried the outlaw, and young Robin's heart gave a
throb and he made a movement to get down to go to the sweet-faced
woman who came hurriedly out, wide-eyed and wondering, in her green
kirtle, her long soft naturally curling hair rippling down her
back, but confined round her brow by a plain silver band in which a
few woodland flowers were placed.

"Oh! Robin," she cried, flushing with pleasure; "who is this?"

"It is some one for you to take care of," said the outlaw, who
smiled at the bright look in the girl's face. "He is both hungry
and tired, and his people ran away and left him alone in the
forest."

"Oh, my dear!" she cried, as Little John lightly jumped the boy
down at her feet. "Come along."

Young Robin put his hand in hers and gave her a look full of trust