Old Paths of Honour and Dishonour, by the Author of 'The Kingdom and the People'. (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1870. Excerpt: ... OLD PATHS OF HONOUR AND DISHONOUR. CHAPTER I. THE LESSON. "PTKjailAT docs 'poor in spirit' mean?" said IsMa Frank Leslie, somewhat fretfully, as he lay on the beach in the quiet little bay of Yelverton, attempting, though perhaps not very diligently, to learn his verses for the next day, which was Sunday. "I wish," he added, "that papa would let me choose my own chapters. It is always so much easier to learn anything one takes a fancy to. Don't you think so, Susy?" "Sometimes, not always," returned his sister; "but why are these so difficult?" "Oh I can learn each verse by itself easily enough; but it is how they come one after another that I can't remember; and besides, a good many of them I cannot understand." "Then you had better ask papa to explain them. I daresay he had a reason for setting you this passage to learn; indeed, I am almost sure he had; so I wouldn't ask him to change it, if I were you." "Of course I shouldn't do that," returned Frank. "He would only tell me that / had no spirit if I wanted to give a thing up because it was difficult; but what reason do you suppose he had, Sue?" "Oh never mind; I can't tell you," answered his sister, smiling. "It is only a guess of mine; he didn't tell me, so you must not ask." "But you say you think you know; so you might tell, I 'm sure. It's very unkind of you, Susy." "Perhaps papa would be vexed if I did. I daresay you will find out in time," his sister said. "Come, make haste and learn them, like a good boy, . and then to-morrow we will ask him to explain the difficult ones. You know how interesting he always makes things." So Frank went to his book again; for, as his sister was just twice his age, he generally took her advice in the end, though his own opinions were pretty strong. For a little whi...