As to the stead where he was nourished, though it were far awayamongst the woods, it was no such lonely or savage place: besides thecastle and the houses of it, there was a merry thorpe in the clearing, the houses whereof were set down by the side of a clear and pleasant littlestream. Moreover the goodmen and swains of the said township were noill folk, but bold of heart, free of speech, and goodly of favour; and thewomen of them fair, kind, and trusty. Whiles came folk journeying in toOakenrealm or out to Meadham, and of these some were minstrels, whohad with them tidings of what was astir whereas folk were thicker in theworld, and some chapmen, who chaffered with the thorpe-dwellers, andtook of them the woodland spoil for such outland goods as those woodmenneeded.
So wore the years, and in Oakenham King Christopher was well nighforgotten, and in the wild-wood had never been known clearly for King'sson. At first, by command of Rolf the Marshal, a messenger came everyyear from Lord Richard with a letter that told of how the lad Christopherdid. But when five years were worn, the Marshal bade send him tidingsthereof every three years; and by then it was come to the twelfth year, andstill the tidings were that the lad throve ever, and meanwhile the Marshalsat fast in his seat with none to gainsay, the word went to Lord Richardthat he should send no more, for that he, the Marshal, had heard enough ofthe boy; and if he throve it were well, and if not, it was no worse. Sowore the days and the years.