o chambers and washed their feet, and crowned them with
flowers, and brought them into the hall again, and up on to the dais,
and gave them to eat and drink. Thither came to them also the Lady
Margaret, Jack's wedded wife, and made them the most cheer that she
might; and unto her did Christopher tell his story as unto his very
mother; and what there was in the house, both of carle and of quean,
gathered round about to hearken, and Christopher nothing loth. And
Goldilind's heart warmed toward that folk, and in sooth they were a
goodly people to look on, and frank and happy, and of good will, and
could well of courtesy, though it were not of the courts.

Wore the bright day, and it drew toward sunset, and now the carles came
straight into the hall by twos and threes, till there were a many within
its walls. But to each one of these knots as they entered, someone,
carle or quean, spake a word or two, and straightway the new-comers went
up to the dais and greeted Christopher pleasantly, and made obeisance to
Goldilind.

At last was the hall, so quiet erst, grown busy as a beehive, and amidst
the throng thereof came in the serving-folk, women and men, and set the
endlong boards up (for the high-table was a standing one of oak, right
thick and strong); and then they fell to bringing in the service, all
but what the fire was dealing with in the kitchen. And whiles this was
a-doing, the sun was sinking fast, and it was dusk in the hall by then
it was done, though without the sky was fair and golden, and about the
edges of the thicket were the nightingales singing loud and sweet, but
within was the turmoil of many voices, whereof few heeded if their words
were loud or soft.

Amidst all this, from close to the hall, rang out the sound of many
horns winding a woodland tune. None was afeard or astonied, because
all knew it for the horns of Jack of the Tofts; but they stilled their
chattering talk somewhat, and abided his coming; and even therewith came
the sound of many feet and the clash of weapons, and men poured in, and
there was the gleam of steel, as folk fell back to the right and left,
and gave room to the new-comers. Then a loud, clear, and cheery voice
cried out from amidst of them: "Light in the hall, men and maids!
Candles, candles! Let see who is here before us!"

Straightway then was there running hither and thither and light sprang
up over all the hall, and there could folk see Jack of the Tofts, and
a score and a