"But I do," said Paul. "No boy shall call you names when I am near."
Paul's resolute character was well understood by all the boys who knew him, and Peter would not have ventured to speak as he did, but he did not at first perceive that Jimmy was accompanied by his brother. When he did discover it he slunk away as soon as he could.
They were walking up Park Row, when Jim Parker, once an enemy, but now a friend of Paul, met them. He looked excited, and hurried up to meet them.
"When were you home, Paul?" he asked abruptly.
"Two or three hours since. I have just come from Barnum's."
"Then you don't know what's happened?"
Paul turned instantly.
"No. What is it?"
"Your house has caught fire, and is burning down. The engines are there, but I don't think they can save it."
"Let us hurry home, brother," said Paul. "It's lucky I've got my bank-book with me, so if we are burned out, we can get another home at once."