“The enemy has completely surrounded us with sentinels.”
“Ah! they would, of course.”
“It was not that, Master Pawson—but this; I was about telling my mother that, for the purposes of defence, Martlet and I feel that we must have the north-west tower.”
“But you have it; the guns are there.”
“The top only,” said Roy. “The chambers below are required for the men who work the guns, for ammunition, and other purposes.”
Master Pawson looked at him in blank horror.
“My mother will see that you have comfortable rooms or a room somewhere here. I will give up mine to you if you like.”
“Oh! I could not take that,” said the secretary, quickly. “But surely this is not necessary.”
“Yes; it is absolutely necessary. Besides, that tower will certainly be battered by the enemy’s guns, and it will not be safe for you.”
“I wish you would not persist in looking upon me as such a coward, Roy; it is not fair. I was never meant for a soldier, but surely a man may be a man of peace and yet not a coward.”