"Yes, mother--another bit of self-sacrifice. Martlet and I both feel that we must have the north-west tower.--Ah, Master Pawson, you there?" "Yes. I knocked twice, and I thought you said `Come in.'" "Then you heard what I said just now." "I heard you mention the western tower. Have you been telling her ladyship of what we saw this evening?" "No. What did you see?" cried Lady Royland, quickly. "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." "No, no; I do not look upon you as a coward," said Roy, hastily. "It is really because that will be a dangerous spot, and the rooms must be strongly occupied." "But, as I said, you have the guns at the top. Really, I must protest; I am so much attached to those little rooms. Surely you can let me stay. I do not mind the firing. I will not go near the windows." "You do not grasp the fact that these angle towers are our greatest protection," said Roy, firmly. "I am sorry to give you all the trouble and annoyance, but we must have the chambers below. The one you use for a sleeping-room is absolutely necessary for the powder." "Indeed, Lady Royland, they could manage without," protested the secretary, warmly. "It would be a dreadful inconvenience to me to give them up. There are the books and my papers. Oh, it is really impossible." "You forget, Master Pawson, that we all have to make sacrifices now, and that we shall have to make more and greater ones yet, before this unhappy trouble is at an end." "Yes, yes, I know, Lady Royland, and I am ready to do anything to assist you," cried the secretary, excitedly. "Then give up your rooms like a man," said Roy, "and without making so much fuss." Master Pawson darted an angry look at the boy and then turned to his mother.