Said Jack: "Well, now hast thou father and mother, brethren and sisters,
though they be of the sort of man-slayers and strong-thieves and
outlaws; yet they love thee, lad, and thou mayst one day find out how
far thou mayst trust them."

Christopher nodded and smiled at him merrily; then he fell silent
awhile, and the outlaw sat looking on him; at last he said suddenly:
"Foster-father, tell me what I am, and of what kindred, I pray thee;
for, methinks, thou knowest thereof; and what wonder, wise man as thou
art."

"Forsooth, son Christopher, I have a deeming thereof, or somewhat more,
and when it is waxen greater yet, I will tell it thee one day, but not
now. But hearken! for I have other tidings for thee. Thou art now whole
and strong, and in a few days thou mayst wend the wild-wood as stoutly
as e'er a one of us. Now, therefore, how sayest thou, if I bid thee fare
a two days' journey with David and Gilbert thy brethren, and thy sister
Joanna, till they bring thee to a fair little stead which I call mine
own, to dwell there awhile? For, meseemeth, lad, that the air of the
Tofts here may not be overwholesome unto thee."

Christopher reddened, and he half rose up, and said: "What is this,
foster-father? Is it that there shall be battle at the Tofts, and that
thou wouldst have me away thence? Am I then such a weakling?"

Said Jack, laughing: "Be still now, thou sticked one. The Tofts go down
to battle at some whiles; but seldom comet battle to the Tofts; and no
battle do I look for now. But do my bidding, sweet fosterling, and it
will be better for me and better for thee, and may, perchance, put off
battle for awhile; which to me as now were not unhandy. If thou wilt
but abide at Littledale for somewhile, there shall be going and coming
betwixt us, and thou shalt drink thy Yule at the Tofts, and go back
afterwards, and ever shalt thou have thy sweet fellows with thee; so be
wise, since thou goest not perforce."

"Yea, yea," said Christopher, laughing; "thou puttest force on no man,
is it not so, foster-father? Wherefore I will go, and uncompelled."

Therewith came up to them, from out of the wild-wood, David, and with
him Joanna, who was the wife of Gilbert, and one of those fair maidens
from the Wailful Castle, though not the fairest of them; they had been
a-hunting, for ever those three would willingly go together, Gilbert,
David, and Joanna; and now Gilbert had abided behind, to dight the
quarry for fetching hom