then it was that he was gladly welcomed by the Sheriff, who said he
was honored by the visit of the nobleman and his lady.

But it was nothing to young Robin then that his old friend was an
earl, and his lady a countess; they were still Robin Hood and Maid
Marian to him, and big Little John, their follower, his old friend
and companion, full of memories of his year's happy life in the
Merry Greenwood.