Said Jack: "And how old art thou now, Christopher mine?"
Said the youngling, laughing: "By my lord the Castellan's reckoningI am twenty and two years; but if thou wilt trow my good and kind nurse,that yet liveth a kind dame, thou must take twelve months off the tale."
Jack sat silent a little; then he laughed and said: "Well, thou art amickle babe, Christopher, and it may be that one day many a man shallknow it. But now tell me again; thou hadst said to me before that thouhast known neither father nor mother, brother nor sisters: is it so,verily?"
Said Christopher: "Never a kinsman of blood have I, though manywell-wishers."
Said Jack: "Well, now hast thou father and mother, brethren andsisters, though they be of the sort of man-slayers and strong-thieves andoutlaws; yet they love thee, lad, and thou mayst one day find out how farthou mayst trust them."
Christopher nodded and smiled at him merrily; then he fell silentawhile, 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 somewhatmore, and when it is waxen greater yet, I will tell it thee one day, but notnow. But hearken! for I have other tidings for thee. Thou art nowwhole and strong, and in a few days thou mayst wend the wild-wood asstoutly as e'er a one of us. Now, therefore, how sayest thou, if I bid theefare 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 heremay not be overwholesome unto thee."