fight or negotiation

[Steve]

You have several options, bluff, welcome, trade etc. etc. One thing that is sure, you'll be better at it if you have a few dummy runs with your family first. Practice makes perfect, so you should have a drill to follow for when that stranger arrives.

A simple phrase shouted into the house, "Honey, set an extra place for dinner", can warn your family to get into pre-arranged formation, hide items that might tempt a robbery, or even place a weapon in a handy location. With luck it will delay any bad intentions on his part until you have had time to assess the situation properly.