This was a mortifying sight to a hungry
stomach, and Robin's humanity yearned at the display. After the first
emotions had a little subsided, he found himself at leisure to examine
the faces of the opposite guests, and he recognised several dames of
his acquaintance, feasting right merrily at the witches' board. Either
his fears and "thick-coming fancies" deceived him, or, as he afterwards
declared, he saw nearly the whole of the neighbourhood at the assembly.
Presently it seemed as if the first course were ended, and the floor
cleared by invisible hands in a twinkling.
"Now pull," said the grave personage in black.
Many ropes hung from the roof. These the women began to pull furiously,
when down came pies, puddings, milk, cream, and rare wines, which they
caught in wooden bowls; likewise sweet-meats and all manner of dainties,
which made Robin's mouth to water so at the sight that he could bear it
no longer. Intending to groan, he involuntarily uttered a loud neigh,
which so alarmed the company that the lights were extinguished, and the
guests sallied out, each immediately bestriding her steed, and setting
forth at full gallop, save Goody Dickisson, who, in attempting to mount
Robin, met with a sore mishap.
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