Thornwell Abbas, by Grant Lloyd

This historic book may have numerous typos or missing text. Not indexed. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1876. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... of paper, inscribed on the back as follows:--"Jane Johnson. Soup on Friday. Send her 'Tracts for Christian Seasons.'" "John Higgins. Aged fourteen. Tell him about Night School. Ask him to remind Billy Wilson." "6£ yards of Flannel; 2 J unbleached. "Tickets for Shoe Club." And a few other memoranda of an equally parochial character. Mr. Hooker laughed and patted her on the back with " Well done, Lina." Miss Frances said, "Well, you might have got another bit of paper, and not spoilt Walter's sketch." "Oh! it hasn't hurt it. I didn't want it either a bit; only he chose to give it me, and I couldn't say no. I can't see any sense in it." The sketch was a rough, clever sepia drawing of a young woman, with her dark hair all down her back, floating on a ray of light into a dismal sort of place, half dungeon, half hospital, in which lay a number of captives, or patients (the artist had not made it very clear which), who were enthusiastically looking up at their lovely visitant and at the roses she carried in her hand. The young lady was a trifle like Irene herself, and there may have been a play on her name in the motto, "Per pacem ad lucem." "Well, that's one of the prettiest things I ever saw of his," said Miss Frances. "One of the most unblushing pieces of compliment, at any rate," said Mr. Hooker. "I'm glad, though, Lina, you've learnt to do your hair better than that." And he took up his papers and left the room. "It may be pretty, but I can't see much meaning in it," said Lina. "What's the good of roses to people when they are as unhappy as those poor wretches are? And besides, you couldn't get through Peace to Light, could you? but through Light to Peace." "Perhaps you couldn't. I never heard the motto before, so I don't quite understand it." "There's ...