Then all began to stare and wonder and crowd around, laughing, for never was such selling heard of in all Nottingham Town; but when they came to buy they found it as he had said, for he gave goodwife or dame as much meat for one penny as they could buy elsewhere for three, and when a widow or a poor woman came to him, he gave her flesh for nothing; but when a merry lass came and gave him a kiss, he charged not one penny for his meat; and many such came to his stall, for his eyes were as blue as the skies of June, and he laughed merrily, giving to each full measure. Thus he sold his meat so fast that no butcher that stood near him could sell anything.
Then they began to talk among themselves, and some said, “This must be some thief who has stolen cart, horse, and meat”; but others said, “Nay, when did ye ever see a thief who parted with his goods so freely and merrily? This must be some prodigal who hath sold his father’s land, and would fain live merrily while the money lasts.” And these latter being the greater number, the others came round, one by one to their way of thinking.