Read Online Colin Meets an Emu by Merv Lambert - Free Book Online

groaning.
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    Olivia came out from behind the trees. She clapped her hands in delight. Sammy barked joyfully, as if he were applauding too.
    Colin glared at the two breathless monks. “No, it is you, who must away,” he declared. “Tell your master the abbot that he will no longer demand money for himself from other people. Tell him that I, Colin, have said so. I say again, away with you! Begone!”
    With fearful glances behind them Grulph and Urquart scurried away into the woods. Now the merchant, who had remained silent, felt confident enough to speak up. He swept off his hat and bowed. “Thank you, thank you, Sir Colin,” he said. He had assumed that his rescuer was a man of some importance and power.
    â€œNo, no,” laughed Colin. “I am not a knight. I am an ordinary man like yourself.”
    â€œPrithee, I must disagree. You seem a most extraordinary man.”
    â€œYes, he is,” smiled Olivia.
    The merchant beamed at her. “My lady, I am Lucius Silver. I am honoured to make your acquaintance.” He bowed again. “I am a merchant tailor in Nottingham. I am not a rich man. Neither am I poor, but I make a living where I can, and I have just visited an old lady, who lives in a cottage in these woods. She bought some good cloth from me. Now I am off to my house to fetch some cloaks like this one that the Sheriff of Nottingham wishes to purchase. Forgive me, but I must rush away now, for I am already late. You will find me, if you ask at the Boar’s Head Inn. Good day, Sir Colin. Good day, my lady.”
    After another extravagant bow he was off, hurrying through the trees.
    Olivia laughed. “I know where we are, Colin. I’ve known for a while. I guessed, when I saw what we are wearing – your green outfit and my green dress – and also from the way people speak here. Besides the forest is a bit of a give-away.”
    â€œO.K.” said Colin. “But don’t spoil my surprise for you completely. Come on, Sammy. You know where we are too. Find the way to our friends.” He felt the bookmark glow again extra warmly, as Sammy set off, sniffing his way along another path through the trees. The sunlight still shone through the leaves of the highest branches, making dappled patterns on the ground.
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    As they were following Sammy, Olivia said suddenly,”You know, I don’t trust that man Silver.”
    Colin agreed. “No, I don’t either. I know what he is. He’s not a bad man, but he’s not completely honest. He is a fence. He buys and sells stolen things.”
    Olivia’s surprise showed on her face. “How do you know that?”
    â€œOh, I’ve never met him before, but I’m sure I’ve met the old lady he mentioned.”
    Suddenly Sammy gave a joyful little bark and dashed into a clearing. Olivia saw a beautiful young woman with long blonde hair crouching down and making a fuss of the little dog.
    â€œHello, Marion,” said Colin. “I’d like you to meet Olivia. We are to wed soon.”
    With a gasp of delight Marion stood up and flung her arms around Colin to give him a big hug and then she did the same to Olivia. She called out to a young man dressed in red, who was on the other side of the clearing, “Will, go and fetch Robin. There is someone here he will want to meet.” Then, taking Olivia by both hands, she led her to the middle of the clearing and the next moment Robin Hood appeared, closely followed by Will Scarlet and most of the Merry Men.
    â€œBig Colin!” cried Robin. “I did not think we would ever meet again.” His eyes lit up, when he saw Olivia. “And who is this delightful fair maiden?” he asked.
    â€œRobin, this is Olivia,” replied Marion. She is betrothed to Colin.”
    Robin swept off his hat and bowed to Olivia. Then, turning to Colin, he gave him a double handshake and clapped him cheerfully on the back. “Methinks