Grant, with
perfect good-humour, on MrRushworth?s account, who was partly
expected at the Park that day; but it was felt as a very grievous injury,
and her good manners were severely taxed to conceal her vexation
and anger till she reached homeRushworth did not
come, the injury was increased, and she had not even the relief of
shewing her power over him; she could only be sullen to her mother,
aunt, and cousin, and throw as great a gloom as possible over their
dinner and dessert
Between ten and eleven Edmund and Julia walked into the drawing-
room, fresh with the evening air, glowing and cheerful, the very
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Mansfield Park
reverse of what they found in the three ladies sitting there, for Maria
would scarcely raise her eyes from her book, and Lady Bertram was
half-asleep; and even MrsNorris, discomposed by her niece?s illhumour,
and having asked one or two questions about the dinner,
which were not immediately attended to, seemed almost determined
to say no moreFor a few minutes the brother and sister were too
eager in their praise of the night and their remarks on the stars, to
think beyond themselves; but when the first pause came, Edmund,
looking around, said, ?But where http://www.muluxury.com" target="_blank is Fanny? Is she gone to bed??
?No, not that I know of,? replied MrsNorris; ?she was here a
moment ago
Her own gentle voice speaking from the other end of the room,
which was a very long one, told them that she was on the sofa
Norris began scolding
?That is a very foolish trick, Fanny, to be idling away all the evening
upon a sofaWhy cannot you come and sit here, and employ yourself
as we do? If you have no work of your own, I can supply you
from the poor basketThere is all the new calico, that was bought
last week, not touched yetI am sure I almost broke my back by
cutting it outYou should learn to think of other people; and, take
my word for it, it is a shocking trick for a young person to be always
lolling upon a sofa
Before half this was said, Fanny was returned to her seat at the
table, and had taken up her work again; and Julia, who was in high
good-humour, from the pleasures of the day, did her the justice of
exclaiming, ?I must say, ma?am, that Fanny is as little upon the sofa
as anybody in the house
?Fanny,? said Edmund, after looking at her attentively, ?I am sure
you have the headache
She could not deny it, but said it was not very bad
?I can hardly believe you,? he http://www.culuxury.com/scategory_8_Hermes.html" target="_blank replied; ?I know your looks too
wellHow long have you had it??
?Since a little before dinnerIt is nothing but the heat
?Did you go out in the heat??
?Go out! to be sure she did,? said MrsNorris: ?would you have
her stay within such a fine day as this? Were not we all out? Even
your mother was out to-day for above an hour
63
Jane Austen
?Yes, indeed, Edmund,? added her ladyship, who had been thoroughly
awakened by MrsNorris?s sharp reprimand to Fanny; ?I
was out above an hourI sat three-quarters of an hour in the flowergarden,
while Fanny cut the roses; and very pleasant it was, I assure
you, but very hotIt was shady enough in the alcove, but I declare I
quite dreaded the coming home again
?Fanny has been cutting roses, has she??
?Yes, and I am afraid they will be the last this yearPoor thing! She
found it hot enough; but they were so full-blown that one could
not wait
?There was no help for it, certainly,? rejoined MrsNorris, in a
rather softened voice; ?but I question whether her headache might
not be caught then, sisterThere is nothing so likely to give it as
standing and stooping in a hot sun; but I dare say it will be well tomorrow
Suppose you let her have your d