( miss kitty takes this as an opportunity to recount how she and mr hamilton first became acquainted. it is a charming story and, through her account, tempts atticus into curiosity. he makes it no secret that he finds most clergymen to be pretentious and dull, who find greater concern in securing their own place in heaven rather than helping their parishioners. but from miss kitty's glowing praises, both in her words and expression, mr hamilton appears to be the outlier to atticus's long-held perception. he is a kind, considerate man who takes joy in his sermons, parishioners, and life. it sounds like if god is merciful in his works and purposes, it would indeed be a blessing to meet mr hamilton.
although, it is possible miss kitty speaks of her betrothed as someone too dazzled by love to notice the imperfections. the rays of the sun that provide light and warmth can also scorch. but he shan't reproach her or her feelings. just because atticus closed his heart off does not mean he condemns others for not doing so as well.
miss kitty ends her story with an exclamation about her sister's ill look. as atticus turns his head to behold miss bennet's ailment, mr hickinbottom leaps from his chair and rushes over to aid her. in the ensuing disorder, no one should notice how atticus rolls his eyes and groans under his breath. the man is truly repugnant. miss bennet is wise enough to decline his help and hurries from the room with him close behind. barely looking up from his tea, atticus hisses, ) For heaven's sake, Hickinbottom, she is capable of remedying it herself.
( that is enough to dissuade mr hickinbottom from following her, and he returns to his chair, a frown pulling at his expression. miss bennet leaves behind an awkward scene, so mr gardiner breaks it, and clears his throat, standing up. "i'd say it's time we return to the office now, eh hickinbottom?"
he follows his boss's motion and stands, though reluctant. "so soon? i would very much like to wait for miss bennet to return so i can bid farewell."
atticus takes this as an opportunity and stands as well. if he should find miss bennet on the landing, he shall bid his farewell, but he has no intention of staying a moment longer to await her return. ) I, too, believe it is time I take my leave.
( as if on cue, the door leading to the hallway opens, but instead of miss bennet entering the room, tis the youngest gardiner, robert, a boy of barely eight. cheerfully, he greets his parents, "ahoy there, mama and papa. is tea finished yet?"
"not yet, robert. go back to the others," mrs gardiner replies, patient and serene in her voice and countenance.
under his mop of brown hair, the lad groans that his brother and sisters refuse to entertain him and his desire to play pirates, so he is bored. he squints, and his gaze turns to mr hickinbottom, then to atticus, then back to mr hickinbottom before finally back to atticus. "which one of you is the gentleman i've heard so much about?"
mrs gardiner's eyes widen just a little, and she immediately admonishes her son, "robert! that is impolite."
he bows. "pardon me then. i am robert gardiner, and i would be delighted to make the acquaintance of the well-travelled gentleman that mary and kitty often speak of."
before the well-travelled gentleman can respond, miss kitty cuts in to admonish her cousin. "robert! you shouldn't eavesdrop." it is fortunate that mary isn't here to listen to robert reveal each point of discussion shared in confidence between the sisters while naughty boys hide behind corners or under tables. nervously, she glances at mr cartwright, who appears amused instead of annoyed, like mr hickinbottom, or embarrassed, like his parents.
atticus laughs, and its warmth and genuineness put kitty and the gardiners at ease. he can hardly fault a child for bursting through their seams with spirit and enthusiasm so rarely seen or approved of in adults. ) That is I, Mr Gardiner. ( he takes his seat, and waves the boy over. ) Come. Keep your cousin's seat warm while we wait for her to return.
( robert happily takes the invitation and trots over to fill in the empty seat. the two gentlemen who remained standing also sit down. both mr hickinbottom and atticus have expressed (however enthusiastic) an interest in saying goodbye to Miss Bennet, so they both will linger longer. )
no subject
although, it is possible miss kitty speaks of her betrothed as someone too dazzled by love to notice the imperfections. the rays of the sun that provide light and warmth can also scorch. but he shan't reproach her or her feelings. just because atticus closed his heart off does not mean he condemns others for not doing so as well.
miss kitty ends her story with an exclamation about her sister's ill look. as atticus turns his head to behold miss bennet's ailment, mr hickinbottom leaps from his chair and rushes over to aid her. in the ensuing disorder, no one should notice how atticus rolls his eyes and groans under his breath. the man is truly repugnant. miss bennet is wise enough to decline his help and hurries from the room with him close behind. barely looking up from his tea, atticus hisses, ) For heaven's sake, Hickinbottom, she is capable of remedying it herself.
( that is enough to dissuade mr hickinbottom from following her, and he returns to his chair, a frown pulling at his expression. miss bennet leaves behind an awkward scene, so mr gardiner breaks it, and clears his throat, standing up. "i'd say it's time we return to the office now, eh hickinbottom?"
he follows his boss's motion and stands, though reluctant. "so soon? i would very much like to wait for miss bennet to return so i can bid farewell."
atticus takes this as an opportunity and stands as well. if he should find miss bennet on the landing, he shall bid his farewell, but he has no intention of staying a moment longer to await her return. ) I, too, believe it is time I take my leave.
( as if on cue, the door leading to the hallway opens, but instead of miss bennet entering the room, tis the youngest gardiner, robert, a boy of barely eight. cheerfully, he greets his parents, "ahoy there, mama and papa. is tea finished yet?"
"not yet, robert. go back to the others," mrs gardiner replies, patient and serene in her voice and countenance.
under his mop of brown hair, the lad groans that his brother and sisters refuse to entertain him and his desire to play pirates, so he is bored. he squints, and his gaze turns to mr hickinbottom, then to atticus, then back to mr hickinbottom before finally back to atticus. "which one of you is the gentleman i've heard so much about?"
mrs gardiner's eyes widen just a little, and she immediately admonishes her son, "robert! that is impolite."
he bows. "pardon me then. i am robert gardiner, and i would be delighted to make the acquaintance of the well-travelled gentleman that mary and kitty often speak of."
before the well-travelled gentleman can respond, miss kitty cuts in to admonish her cousin. "robert! you shouldn't eavesdrop." it is fortunate that mary isn't here to listen to robert reveal each point of discussion shared in confidence between the sisters while naughty boys hide behind corners or under tables. nervously, she glances at mr cartwright, who appears amused instead of annoyed, like mr hickinbottom, or embarrassed, like his parents.
atticus laughs, and its warmth and genuineness put kitty and the gardiners at ease. he can hardly fault a child for bursting through their seams with spirit and enthusiasm so rarely seen or approved of in adults. ) That is I, Mr Gardiner. ( he takes his seat, and waves the boy over. ) Come. Keep your cousin's seat warm while we wait for her to return.
( robert happily takes the invitation and trots over to fill in the empty seat. the two gentlemen who remained standing also sit down. both mr hickinbottom and atticus have expressed (however enthusiastic) an interest in saying goodbye to Miss Bennet, so they both will linger longer. )