ck on their journey home.

Who does not know how hard it is to say good-bye? Young Robin did
not till the time had come.

He awoke that morning joyful and eager to start, for it was to go
back home in company with the father whom he loved; but when the
time came he had to learn how tightly so many of his little
heartstrings had taken hold of the life under the greenwood tree.
Everything about him had grown dear, and there was almost a mule
load of treasures and pets of his own collecting that could not be
left behind.

And when they had been carefully packed in panniers by Little John
and one of the men, there was the task of bidding them all
good-bye, and then those two words grew harder every time.

But he spoke out manfully and well, in spite of a choking
sensation, till nearly the last.

"For I'm coming back again," he said, "and you'll take care of my
pet fawn for me, Little John, and always remember to feed it well.
And don't forget the dog and that dormouse we couldn't find, so
that I can have it when I come back, and--"

_Croak_!

What was that?

It was a peculiar sound made up in the air by Little John, and that
did it, for when young Robin looked up in astonishment, it was to
see the great fellow's face all puckered up, and--yes, there were
two great tears rolling down his cheeks as he caught the boy in his
arms and kissed him.

And so it was that when young Robin ran to bid Maid Marian
good-bye, he could no longer hold it back. As he clasped his arms
about her neck, and kissed her passionately again and again, the
sobs came fast, but the word _Good-bye_ would not come at all, and
when they rode away, the boy dared not look back for fear the men
should see his red and swollen eyes. So he only waved his hat, and
kept waving it to the last.

But he was to see some of his friends again, for about a year after
the Sheriff of Nottingham had the strangest visitors of his
life-time at his house, and young Robin enjoyed the task of
welcoming them, for as one old history says, Robin Hood was
forgiven and restored by the King to his rightful possessions, and
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 m