BIBLICAL FIGURE
Abels are referenced as figures illustrated on the Dutch tiles around the fireplace, indicating their presence as biblical figures in the narrative.
ABELS
There were Cains and Abels, Pharaoh's daughters, Queens of Sheba, Angelic messengers descending through the air on clouds like feather-beds, Abrahams, Belshazzars, Apostles putting off to sea in butter-boats, hundreds of figures to attract his thoughts...