reckoning I 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 a mickle babe, Christopher, and it may be that one
day many a man shall know it. But now tell me again; thou
hadst said to me before that thou hast known neither father
nor mother, brother nor sisters: is it so, verily?"

Said Christopher: "Never a kinsman of blood have I, though
many well-wishers."

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