( as he does not want to begin an argument with the master of the house, atticus elects to remain silent on the matter. not all little girls take an interest in fishing, but perhaps some would if given the opportunity. but, as atticus has little experience with children, he acquiesces to mr gardiner's judgement. he also continues to be silent when mr hickinbottom insists on hearing miss bennet play, as it's not his place to point out his rudeness. the others at the table turn and crane their necks to watch the pair at the pianoforte, but atticus remains facing front, once again looking at the landscape painting. he has listened to miss bennet play this song so often, usually as part of her warm-up, that he needn't look at her to imagine her fingers gliding across the keys and the serenity that comes upon her face like the morning sun through open windows and lace curtains.
when she finishes playing, and after the applause has died down, atticus finally turns around in his chair. miss bennet is still at the pianoforte, which is smaller but more elegant than the one at longbourn, while mr hickinbottom stands near her. ) Do you play, Mr Hickinbottom?
( he replies, "no, sir. i am unfortunate in that regard." mr hickinbottom's expression is of mild dejection as if recalling a childhood misery, and he hopes miss bennet notices it before he casts his gaze away. while there is truth in his statement, the misfortunate is because of a lack of interest rather than a lack of funds. in the hickinbottom parlour room once sat a pianoforte; old, yes, but still perfectly functional. his brothers and sister found entertainment in learning songs, but this hickinbottom only found disturbance. he really has neither the mind nor the patience for playing music. )
I apologise, then, for my presumption. Since you were so enthused to hear Miss Bennet, I assumed you also played.
( mr hickinbottom's eyes narrow, and he is quick to clarify himself, "i do not play but i still take great enjoyment in music." he is a wolf stalking his prey as he seeks to speak the right words and act the right way that will deliver to him miss bennet's hand. there is no topic he wouldn't align his opinion to match hers.
a sharp grin, similar to a pilfering fox's, cuts into atticus's cheeks. ) Mr Hickinbottom, this is a fortuitous meeting. Indeed it is, for I imagine you won't find a person who finds greater enjoyment in music than Miss Bennet. Do you not agree? ( only sincerity shines in his words, just like the amusement shining in his eyes as they settle on the young lady for the first time today. despite her lack of instruction and skill at the pianoforte, her enjoyment of music radiates from her whenever she plays. it is difficult to enjoy something when one is not particularly talented at it, but miss bennet possesses the discipline and wisdom to enjoy it nonetheless.
but he does not find such dignity in mr hickinbottom. in him, atticus detects a strictness that demands that effort only be spent on what he would consider applicable and profitable. music, he suspects, is not an effort mr hickinbottom would consider well-spent. and so, atticus feels compelled to shine a light on this trait, both for miss bennet's benefit and for the satisfaction that emerges from exposing deceivers like mr hickinbottom. ) Pray, enlighten us as to your favourite composers.
no subject
when she finishes playing, and after the applause has died down, atticus finally turns around in his chair. miss bennet is still at the pianoforte, which is smaller but more elegant than the one at longbourn, while mr hickinbottom stands near her. ) Do you play, Mr Hickinbottom?
( he replies, "no, sir. i am unfortunate in that regard." mr hickinbottom's expression is of mild dejection as if recalling a childhood misery, and he hopes miss bennet notices it before he casts his gaze away. while there is truth in his statement, the misfortunate is because of a lack of interest rather than a lack of funds. in the hickinbottom parlour room once sat a pianoforte; old, yes, but still perfectly functional. his brothers and sister found entertainment in learning songs, but this hickinbottom only found disturbance. he really has neither the mind nor the patience for playing music. )
I apologise, then, for my presumption. Since you were so enthused to hear Miss Bennet, I assumed you also played.
( mr hickinbottom's eyes narrow, and he is quick to clarify himself, "i do not play but i still take great enjoyment in music." he is a wolf stalking his prey as he seeks to speak the right words and act the right way that will deliver to him miss bennet's hand. there is no topic he wouldn't align his opinion to match hers.
a sharp grin, similar to a pilfering fox's, cuts into atticus's cheeks. ) Mr Hickinbottom, this is a fortuitous meeting. Indeed it is, for I imagine you won't find a person who finds greater enjoyment in music than Miss Bennet. Do you not agree? ( only sincerity shines in his words, just like the amusement shining in his eyes as they settle on the young lady for the first time today. despite her lack of instruction and skill at the pianoforte, her enjoyment of music radiates from her whenever she plays. it is difficult to enjoy something when one is not particularly talented at it, but miss bennet possesses the discipline and wisdom to enjoy it nonetheless.
but he does not find such dignity in mr hickinbottom. in him, atticus detects a strictness that demands that effort only be spent on what he would consider applicable and profitable. music, he suspects, is not an effort mr hickinbottom would consider well-spent. and so, atticus feels compelled to shine a light on this trait, both for miss bennet's benefit and for the satisfaction that emerges from exposing deceivers like mr hickinbottom. ) Pray, enlighten us as to your favourite composers.