[ Mr. Bennet makes a few benign remarks about Atticus's health and stepping into the fight at the fair. He is by no means unkind to his friend, but he simply has a personality that won't allow him to be serious for more than a few minutes at a time. Whether from natural disposition or having to endure a marriage he rushed into foolishly, Mr. Bennet is a light-hearted wit and nothing will budge him from that position.
Mary, on the other hand is a bit of an anomaly within her family. Granted, Jane's sweetness and shyness is a little out of place as well, but Jane is valued and respected by all the Bennets and Mary feels she is only so when she has accomplished something impressive. Here at the table, Mary knows that she must be a good hostess for their guest, but the reason why has become clouded. It should be for praise, should it not? If she performs her role admirably, than perhaps her parents will compliment her and Mary thrives off compliments. Yet as the day has worn on and her thoughts keep running away from her, she thinks perhaps the praise doesn't matter. Perhaps she wants to be a good hostess because Mr. Cartwright deserves it. ]
It was a desperate situation and I can find no fault on your part in how it was handled. It is of course unfortune that violence was seen as a recourse by those men, but hoping for human decency is never foolhardy. I think you very brave for standing up for those who felt they could not stand up for themselves.
[ She nearly adds that it was the good Christian thing to do, but she hesitates and the moment passes. In a way, it feels dismissive of him to think of it as something any Christian would do. There are many among them who would have no thought of intervening, but he is different. Now she is glad she didn't add that part.
She goes back to her soup and for the first time since arriving at home, she doesn't look to her father to see if she spoke well or if he's impressed. It suddenly doesn't seem vital that she know what he thinks of her behavior.
A sudden thought strikes her and she quickly sets down her soup and dabs at her mouth with her napkin. ]
Oh, sir! I have only just thought- Your dog is all alone. Should he be brought here? Or we can send someone to feed him.
[ It's so ingrained in her head that a servant will carry on with duties that it took her until now to remember that Mr. Cartwright keeps no servants. If only she hadn't rushed from his room earlier, he could have spoken of his concerns on his dog and horse right then and there. ]
no subject
Mary, on the other hand is a bit of an anomaly within her family. Granted, Jane's sweetness and shyness is a little out of place as well, but Jane is valued and respected by all the Bennets and Mary feels she is only so when she has accomplished something impressive. Here at the table, Mary knows that she must be a good hostess for their guest, but the reason why has become clouded. It should be for praise, should it not? If she performs her role admirably, than perhaps her parents will compliment her and Mary thrives off compliments. Yet as the day has worn on and her thoughts keep running away from her, she thinks perhaps the praise doesn't matter. Perhaps she wants to be a good hostess because Mr. Cartwright deserves it. ]
It was a desperate situation and I can find no fault on your part in how it was handled. It is of course unfortune that violence was seen as a recourse by those men, but hoping for human decency is never foolhardy. I think you very brave for standing up for those who felt they could not stand up for themselves.
[ She nearly adds that it was the good Christian thing to do, but she hesitates and the moment passes. In a way, it feels dismissive of him to think of it as something any Christian would do. There are many among them who would have no thought of intervening, but he is different. Now she is glad she didn't add that part.
She goes back to her soup and for the first time since arriving at home, she doesn't look to her father to see if she spoke well or if he's impressed. It suddenly doesn't seem vital that she know what he thinks of her behavior.
A sudden thought strikes her and she quickly sets down her soup and dabs at her mouth with her napkin. ]
Oh, sir! I have only just thought- Your dog is all alone. Should he be brought here? Or we can send someone to feed him.
[ It's so ingrained in her head that a servant will carry on with duties that it took her until now to remember that Mr. Cartwright keeps no servants. If only she hadn't rushed from his room earlier, he could have spoken of his concerns on his dog and horse right then and there. ]