th he leapt down from the shield, and went about the hall talking
to this one and that, till the board was full dight; then he took his
place in the high-seat, beside Jack of the Tofts; and David and Gilbert
and his other foster-brethren sat on either side of him, and their wives
with them; and men fell to feasting in great glee.

But one thing there is yet to tell of this feast. When men had drunk a
cup or two, and drunk memories to good men dead, and healths to good men
living, amidst this arose a grey-head carle from the lower end of the
hall, and said: "Child Christopher, thy grace, that I may crave a boon
of thee on this day of leal service.'

"Ask then," said Christopher, with a pleasant face.

"King," quoth the carle, "here are we all gathered together, and we have
before us the most beautifullest woman of the world, who sitteth by thy
side; now to-night we be all dear friends, and there is no lack between
us; yet who can say how often we may meet and things be so? I do not say
that there shall enmity and dissension arise between us, though that may
betide; but it is not unlike that another time thou, King, and thy mate,
may be prouder than now ye be, since now ye are new to it. And if that
distance grow between us, it will avail nought to ask my boon then."

"Well, well, ask it now, friend," said the King, laughing; "I were fain
of ending the day with a gift."

"This it is then, King," said the carle: "since we are here set down
before the loveliest woman in the world, grant us this, that all we
men-folk may for this once kiss the face of her, if she will have it
so."

Huge laughter and cheers arose at his word; but King Christopher arose
and said: "Friend, thy boon is granted with a good will; or how sayest
thou, Goldilind my beloved?"

For all answer she stood up blushing like a rose, and held out her two
hands to the men in the hall. And straightway the old carle rose up and
went in haste to the high-table, before another man might stir, and took
Goldilind by the chin, and kissed her well-favouredly, and again men
laughed joyously. Then came before her Jack of the Tofts and all his
sons, one after other, and kissed her face, save only David, who knelt
humbly before her, and took her right hand and kissed it, while the
tears were in his eyes. Then came many of the men in the hall, and some
were bold, but many were shy, and when they came before her durst kiss
neither hand nor face of her, but their hear