Lom thinks he hears Robbers. 231

 

“I thought it was the middle of the night,”
said Tom, sighing; “and I thought, if they
were robbers, they might steal everything.
So I went down with my stick—there it is in
the corner—to catch them.”

“Thank you, Tom,” said his mamma; “I
didn’t know that you kept watch with Doggie.”

‘“ But there’s no use watching!” said Tom,
sorrowfully. “Robbers never come! I’ve
never once seen one all my life, and I don’t
believe Doggie has either—at least he never
barks.”

“Perhaps they don’t come because they're
afraid with such a good dog watching,” said
his mamma; “they think it wiser to keep
away.”

“Perhaps that zs the reason,” said Tom;
“and perhaps they know I’m watching also,
and are afraid of me. And perhaps they've
seen my stick, and it makes them still more
afraid !” |

It pleased him to think that. As soon as
he had finished his breakfast, and was dressed,
his papa sent for him to hear all about the