( to be thought of as too improper and inferior to be considered a suitor for miss bennet! the irony of such thought borders on absurdity. atticus would laugh if he knew. his father, meanwhile, would find no such humour, only offence, not on his son's behalf but on behalf of the family. a family which stretches back generations of wealth and eminence; and includes both branches of the english and capetian house of courtenay. the thought that miss mary bennet is proper and distinguised enough for their family itself plunges into absurdity.
while atticus does not share his father's arrogant pride, he would take a little offence at the presumption that he is without money and, therefore, without virtue. it is a prejudice he has endeavoured to avoid when he had money, title, and connections, and still, it follows him like a miasma. he is content with the things he has, and for the things he does not have, he does not work towards them with a slack hand. he is diligent in his dealings and careful in his attitude. never does the wish to harm the undeserving cross his heart, and it rarely does for the deserving (like mr hickinbottom).
although it is a concern not wholly without merit. being without personal fortune, miss bennet needs to secure a husband with current and future prospects.
so he confesses — he does agree with mrs gardiner. and if he suspected that miss bennet had formed an attachment to him, far exceeding what is appropriate to her status, he would be inclined to forgo visiting longbourn ever again. for her, their friendship may be a lark or a passing folly. knowingly or unknowingly is worth some debate, and perhaps one he shall engage in on the return travel to meryton. but he does not think this is the case. he prides himself on his ability to read people, and he believes miss bennet has been in want of companionship and excitement since her sisters have married and left. atticus's presence filled a void that will soon be replaced by her sister's wedding and her own not-too-distant nuptials. )
A few days more. ( sooner if he has his way. seizing the chance again, atticus stands to make his exit with the other gentlemen. ) Please forgive me, but I ought to leave now.
("as shall we." mr gardiner kisses his wife on the cheek. "goodbye for now, my dear." mrs gardiner murmurs her farewells as all three gentlemen move towards the door and into the entryway. mr hickinbottom, however, lingers by the door, waiting for the opportunity to express his condolences about his sudden departure to miss bennet. already a plan forms in his mind to ask her for a drive in the park. perhaps the next evening or late afternoon at most likely hyde park, as it is the most popular of all the parks. he will have to see about borrowing a carriage, though some walk but that will not do for mr hickinbottom and his designs. before tomorrow, he will borrow a carriage and impress miss bennet with his riding skills.
just as atticus gathers his hat to depart, a small voice stops him. "are you leaving so soon, mr cartwright?"
atticus turns around, and it is young mr gardiner yet again, in front of him and staring up at him. forcing a smile, he apologises, ) I'm afraid so, Mr Gardiner.
( the lad pouts, "i had more questions to ask. but if you are leaving, i suppose i shall ask if you can answer just one more."
silently sighing to himself, atticus nods his head to give consent for the lad to ask his question. hopefully, it is simple enough that his answer can also be simple and brief.
"have you seen a camel?"
it is such an innocent question that it leaves atticus at a momentary loss for words. his smile becomes more natural, and mirth sways in his green eyes like the wind blowing through a meadow. he crouches down on one knee so they can speak to each other eye to eye, like proper gentlemen. ) Indeed I have. Not only that, I have ridden a camel with the Bedouin tribe in Northern Africa and even had the pleasure of being spat upon by one. ( his nose curls from the memory as robert gardiner laughs. truly, the lad is not bad. in him is a similar soul to atticus's: one that can hardly be contained in one's body and longs to see and experience new things and worlds. so atticus cannot begrudge the child for his questions, for he doubts he would've acted any differently if he met a man like himself as a child. it is just a tragedy that they find each other on a day when atticus has been locked in for too long and thus is not his normal self.
realising that mr cartwright's attention is diverted by mr gardiner's son, an unabated mr hickinbottom moves to an unattached miss bennet. what a perfect opportunity to present his invitation for the outing. he'll have to buy the brat a treat for the aid, however unintentional. )
no subject
while atticus does not share his father's arrogant pride, he would take a little offence at the presumption that he is without money and, therefore, without virtue. it is a prejudice he has endeavoured to avoid when he had money, title, and connections, and still, it follows him like a miasma. he is content with the things he has, and for the things he does not have, he does not work towards them with a slack hand. he is diligent in his dealings and careful in his attitude. never does the wish to harm the undeserving cross his heart, and it rarely does for the deserving (like mr hickinbottom).
although it is a concern not wholly without merit. being without personal fortune, miss bennet needs to secure a husband with current and future prospects.
so he confesses — he does agree with mrs gardiner. and if he suspected that miss bennet had formed an attachment to him, far exceeding what is appropriate to her status, he would be inclined to forgo visiting longbourn ever again. for her, their friendship may be a lark or a passing folly. knowingly or unknowingly is worth some debate, and perhaps one he shall engage in on the return travel to meryton. but he does not think this is the case. he prides himself on his ability to read people, and he believes miss bennet has been in want of companionship and excitement since her sisters have married and left. atticus's presence filled a void that will soon be replaced by her sister's wedding and her own not-too-distant nuptials. )
A few days more. ( sooner if he has his way. seizing the chance again, atticus stands to make his exit with the other gentlemen. ) Please forgive me, but I ought to leave now.
( "as shall we." mr gardiner kisses his wife on the cheek. "goodbye for now, my dear." mrs gardiner murmurs her farewells as all three gentlemen move towards the door and into the entryway. mr hickinbottom, however, lingers by the door, waiting for the opportunity to express his condolences about his sudden departure to miss bennet. already a plan forms in his mind to ask her for a drive in the park. perhaps the next evening or late afternoon at most likely hyde park, as it is the most popular of all the parks. he will have to see about borrowing a carriage, though some walk but that will not do for mr hickinbottom and his designs. before tomorrow, he will borrow a carriage and impress miss bennet with his riding skills.
just as atticus gathers his hat to depart, a small voice stops him. "are you leaving so soon, mr cartwright?"
atticus turns around, and it is young mr gardiner yet again, in front of him and staring up at him. forcing a smile, he apologises, ) I'm afraid so, Mr Gardiner.
( the lad pouts, "i had more questions to ask. but if you are leaving, i suppose i shall ask if you can answer just one more."
silently sighing to himself, atticus nods his head to give consent for the lad to ask his question. hopefully, it is simple enough that his answer can also be simple and brief.
"have you seen a camel?"
it is such an innocent question that it leaves atticus at a momentary loss for words. his smile becomes more natural, and mirth sways in his green eyes like the wind blowing through a meadow. he crouches down on one knee so they can speak to each other eye to eye, like proper gentlemen. ) Indeed I have. Not only that, I have ridden a camel with the Bedouin tribe in Northern Africa and even had the pleasure of being spat upon by one. ( his nose curls from the memory as robert gardiner laughs. truly, the lad is not bad. in him is a similar soul to atticus's: one that can hardly be contained in one's body and longs to see and experience new things and worlds. so atticus cannot begrudge the child for his questions, for he doubts he would've acted any differently if he met a man like himself as a child. it is just a tragedy that they find each other on a day when atticus has been locked in for too long and thus is not his normal self.
realising that mr cartwright's attention is diverted by mr gardiner's son, an unabated mr hickinbottom moves to an unattached miss bennet. what a perfect opportunity to present his invitation for the outing. he'll have to buy the brat a treat for the aid, however unintentional. )