"I thought you were braver, Jimmy," he said. "If I buy you a pistol, will you promise to use it?"
"I don't know," said Jimmy, dubiously. "I should be afraid to shoot a great big man. Would he have a pistol, too?"
"Probably."
At this Jimmy began to cry again, and Paul hastened to say: "Don't be afraid; I don't mean to have you sleep in the house that night."
"Where can we go?"
"I think Mrs. Norton will let you stop with her that night."
"And you will come, too, Paul?" said Mrs. Hoffman.
"And let the house be robbed, mother? What would Mr. Talbot think of that?"
"But you will be killed. What can you do against such bad men?"
"What would you recommend, mother?" asked Paul.