Louisa May Alcott

Name: Under the Lilacs — Detective Thornton
Author: Louisa May Alcott

Under the Lilacs — Detective Thornton (1877)

Summary

“Under the Lilacs — Detective Thornton”, published in 1877, is a work by Louisa May Alcott. It explores elements such as Thorny, Ben and Celia.

Quotes from Under the Lilacs — Detective Thornton (Louisa May Alcott)

Louisa May Alcott, Under the Lilacs — Detective Thornton (1877)

“ But how could I get it if it was locked up?" and Ben looked as if that question was unanswerable.
"Folks that can climb in at windows for a ball, can go the same way for money, and get it easy enough when they've only to pry open an old lock!"
Thorny's look and tone seemed to make plain to Ben all that they had been suspecting, and, being innocent, he was too perplexed and unhappy to defend himself. His eye went from one to the other, and, seeing doubt in both faces, his boyish heart sunk within him; for he could prove nothing, and his first impulse was to go away at once. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Louisa May Alcott, Under the Lilacs — Detective Thornton (1877)

“ We will shut her up in my room to catch the mice that plague me," said Miss Celia, picking up the little cat, and wondering how she would get her two angry boys safely down stairs.
"The dressing-room, she means; you know the way, and you don't need keys to get in," added Thorny, with such sarcastic emphasis that Ben felt some insult was intended, and promptly resented it.
"You won't get me to climb any more trees after your balls, and my cat won't catch any of your mice, so you needn't ask me."
"Cats don't catch thieves, and they are what I'm after!" ”

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Source: Wikisource

Louisa May Alcott, Under the Lilacs — Detective Thornton (1877)

“ Miss Celia spoke to Ben, who was kneeling down to pick up the scattered papers, among which were two marked dollar bills, -- Thorny's bait for the thief. Ben looked into the dusty recess, and then put in his hand, saying carelessly, -
"There's nothing but a bit of red stuff."
"My old pen-wiper -- Why, what's the matter?" asked Miss Celia, as Ben dropped the handful Of what looked like rubbish.
"Something warm and wiggly inside of it," answered Ben, stooping to examine the contents of the little scarlet bundle. "Baby mice! Ain't they funny? Look just like mites of young pigs. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Louisa May Alcott, Under the Lilacs — Detective Thornton (1877)

“ When I asked him what he saw in the dressing-room, after he brought out the ball, and looked sharply at him, he laughed, and said 'Only a mouse,' as saucy as you please."
"Do set the trap there, I heard the mouse nibbling last night, and it kept me awake. We must have a cat or we shall be overrun."
"Well, shall I give Ben a good blowing up, or will you?" asked Thorny, scorning such poor prey as mice, and bound to prove that he was in the right. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Louisa May Alcott, Under the Lilacs — Detective Thornton (1877)

“ Come, now, I can't rest till I've done all I can to comfort you and convince Thorny." Miss Celia rose as she spoke, and led the way to the dressing-room, which had no outlet except through her chamber. Still holding his hat, Ben followed with a troubled face, and Thorny brought up the rear, doggedly determined to keep his eye on "the little scamp" till the matter was satisfactorily cleared up. Miss Celia had made her proposal more to soothe the feelings of one boy and to employ the superfluous energies of the other, than in the expectation of throwing any light upon the mystery ”

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Source: Wikisource

Louisa May Alcott, Under the Lilacs — Detective Thornton (1877)

“ There is a tree, and such an agile boy as Ben could swing in and out easily. Now, Thorny, I hate to think this of him, but it has happened twice, and for his own sake I must stop it. If he is planning to run away, money is a good thing to have. And he may feel that it is his own ”

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Source: Wikisource

Louisa May Alcott, Under the Lilacs — Detective Thornton (1877)

“ You give me the keys and leave a bill or two in the drawer, and may be I can find him out somehow."
So the keys were given, and the little dressing-room where the old secretary stood was closely watched for a day or two. Ben cheered up a trifle which looked as if he knew an eye was upon him, but otherwise he went on as usual, and Miss Celia feeling a little guilty at even harboring a suspicion of him, was kind and patient with his moods. Thorny was very funny in the unnecessary mystery and fuss he made ”

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Source: Wikisource

Louisa May Alcott, Under the Lilacs — Detective Thornton (1877)

“ I can't say any thing, only that I didn't take the money. You won't believe it, so I'd better go back where I come from. They weren't so kind, but they trusted me, and knew I wouldn't steal a cent. You may keep my money, and the kitty, too ”

Louisa May Alcott

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Quotes from Under the Lilacs — Detective Thornton (Louisa May Alcott)

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