The Ninety and Sixth Adventure. How that without money Owlglass bought a pair of shoes.

Now it fortuned, that on a time Owlglass was at Erfurt, and there went through the Shoemaker’s street; and a woman called loudly unto him, that he should come unto her and buy a good pair of shoes. Then came he straightway unto her, and took a shoe, and put it on his foot; then took he up its fellow, and put it upon the other foot, and said unto her: “Lo! they do suit me marvellous well,” and therewith ran off. Then made the woman a great outcry, and said: 196“Stop me yonder thief, ye good folk!” And they would have held him. “Nay,” said he, “good people, now do we run for a wager; therefore let me go, and then shall I win a pair of shoes.” Thus came he off with the pair of shoes; but so ill made were they, that he gave them unto the servant at the inn where that he lay.