Wore the bright day, and it drew toward sunset, and now the carlescame 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 wentup to the dais and greeted Christopher pleasantly, and made obeisance toGoldilind.
At last was the hall, so quiet erst, grown busy as a beehive, and amidstthe throng thereof came in the serving-folk, women and men, and set theendlong boards up (for the high-table was a standing one of oak, rightthick and strong); and then they fell to bringing in the service, all but whatthe fire was dealing with in the kitchen. And whiles this was a-doing, thesun 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 thethicket were the nightingales singing loud and sweet, but within was theturmoil of many voices, whereof few heeded if their words were loud orsoft.
Amidst all this, from close to the hall, rang out the sound of manyhorns winding a woodland tune. None was afeard or astonied, becauseall knew it for the horns of Jack of the Tofts; but they stilled theirchattering talk somewhat, and abided his coming; and even therewithcame 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, andgave room to the new-comers. Then a loud, clear, and cheery voice criedout from amidst of them: "Light in the hall, men and maids! Candles,candles! Let see who is here before us!" Straightway then was thererunning hither and thither and light sprang up over all the hall, and therecould folk see Jack of the Tofts, and a score and a half of his best, everyman of them armed with shield and helm and byrny, with green coats overtheir armour, and wreaths of young oak about their basnets; there theystood amidst of the hall, and every man with his naked sword in his fist.Jack stood before his folk clad in like wise with them, save that his headwas bare but for an oak wreath. Men looked on a while and said nought,while Jack looked proudly and keenly over the hall, and at last his eyecaught Christopher's, but he made the youngling no semblance of greeting.Christopher's heart fell, and he misdoubted if something were not wrong;but he spake softly to one who stood by him, and said: "Is aught amiss, Will Ashcroft? this is not the wont here."