[ Mr. Gardiner gives a merry laugh. It's the type that is still entirely respectable instead of a braying, horrid sound, but it does show his good-humor.
"I am afraid not. Little girls rarely take interest in such things. I cannot imagine they would wish to touch worms or remove a fish from its hook." Kitty looks queasy at the very idea while Mary's face is more neutral as she contemplates such a thing. She had never been invited to go, but she can't imagine herself enjoying such an endeavor. ]
I have always preferred indoor pursuits.
[ Mr. Hickinbottom scoots forward in his chair with unbridled excitement. Finally, he can make some progress with her.
"Please, Miss Bennet, if you would enlighten me as to your interests? I should very much enjoy hearing about them." He's thinking embroidery, painting, designing firescreens, tracing silhouettes. All that nonsense that young women whittle away their time doing while waiting for a marriage proposal. ]
I read a great deal. I examine the intricacies of human nature and make observations. I also study various subjects to gather a better understanding of the world.
[ The amount of good it has done her has sadly been less than it should have been with her weaker understanding and no tutor to guide her on the right path. ]
I also enjoy playing music.
[ Naturally Mr. Hickinbottom implores her to give them a performance, gesturing to the pianoforte in the room. She politely declines, giving no reason but wishing to finish her tea. However, the young man is not so easily dissuaded, insisting that he simply must experience her skills. He will be beside himself until he's heard her. Mary exchanges a look with her aunt. The older woman seemed perturbed by this sudden request, knowing it has slipped beyond politeness into bad manners, but unwilling to make a scene about it either. She inclines her head to her niece, encouraging her to play, so Mary stands and approaches the instrument. Mr. Hickinbottom dabs at his mouth with his napkin before leaving the table and approaching her.
"You will need someone to turn the pages," he says to Mary before she's really had the chance to look through the pieces available and she decides it's not worth it to argue with him. She selects a simple song - Pleyel's Andante - as she's not in the mood to think too hard about what she's playing. She sits and begins with the man hovering beside her. ]
no subject
"I am afraid not. Little girls rarely take interest in such things. I cannot imagine they would wish to touch worms or remove a fish from its hook." Kitty looks queasy at the very idea while Mary's face is more neutral as she contemplates such a thing. She had never been invited to go, but she can't imagine herself enjoying such an endeavor. ]
I have always preferred indoor pursuits.
[ Mr. Hickinbottom scoots forward in his chair with unbridled excitement. Finally, he can make some progress with her.
"Please, Miss Bennet, if you would enlighten me as to your interests? I should very much enjoy hearing about them." He's thinking embroidery, painting, designing firescreens, tracing silhouettes. All that nonsense that young women whittle away their time doing while waiting for a marriage proposal. ]
I read a great deal. I examine the intricacies of human nature and make observations. I also study various subjects to gather a better understanding of the world.
[ The amount of good it has done her has sadly been less than it should have been with her weaker understanding and no tutor to guide her on the right path. ]
I also enjoy playing music.
[ Naturally Mr. Hickinbottom implores her to give them a performance, gesturing to the pianoforte in the room. She politely declines, giving no reason but wishing to finish her tea. However, the young man is not so easily dissuaded, insisting that he simply must experience her skills. He will be beside himself until he's heard her. Mary exchanges a look with her aunt. The older woman seemed perturbed by this sudden request, knowing it has slipped beyond politeness into bad manners, but unwilling to make a scene about it either. She inclines her head to her niece, encouraging her to play, so Mary stands and approaches the instrument. Mr. Hickinbottom dabs at his mouth with his napkin before leaving the table and approaching her.
"You will need someone to turn the pages," he says to Mary before she's really had the chance to look through the pieces available and she decides it's not worth it to argue with him. She selects a simple song - Pleyel's Andante - as she's not in the mood to think too hard about what she's playing. She sits and begins with the man hovering beside her. ]