Mr. John was among the earliest of those who waited on Mr.Prithvi. He had always intended to visit him, though to the last always assuring his wife that he should no go; and till the evening after the visit was paid , she had no Knowledge of it.
It was then disclosed in the following manner. Observing his second daughter employed in trimming a hat ,he suddenly addressed her with.
"I hope Mr.Prithvi will like it Lizzy."
"We are not in a way to know what Mr.Prithvi likes,"said her mother resentfully,"since we are not to visit."
"But you forget ,mamma," said Elizabeth,"that we shall meet him at the assemblies , and that Mrs. Lee has promised to introduce him."
"I do not believe that Mrs.Lee will do any such thing.She has two nieces of her own. She is a selfish woman and i have no opinion of her."
"No more have I," said Mr. John ;" and I am glad to find that you do not depend on her serving you."
Mrs.John deigned not to make any reply; but unable to contain herself , began scolding one of her daughters.
"Don't keep coughing so, Kitty , for heaven's sake! have a little compassion on my nerves. You tear them to pieces."
"Kitty has no discretion in her coughs,"said her father,"she times them ill."
"I do not cough for my own amusement,"replied Kitty fretfully.
"When is your next ball to be,Lizzy?"
"Tomorrow Fortnight."
"Aye! so it is,"cried her mother,"and Mrs.John does not come back till the day before; so it will be impossible for her to introduce him,for she will not know him herself."
"Then my dear , you may have the advantage of your own friend, and introduce Mr.Prithvi to her."
"Impossible, Mr.John , impossible, when i am not acquainted with him myself; how can you be so teasing"?
"I honour your circumspection.A fortnight's acquaintance is certainly very little. One cannot know what a man really is by the end of the fortnight. But if we do not venture, somebody else will; and after all , Mrs.Lee and her nieces must stand a chance; and therefore, as she will think it an act of kindness , if you decline the office, I will take it on myself."
**The girls stared at their father and Mrs.John said only,"Nonsense,nonsense!"
"What can be the meaning of that emphatic exclamation?"cried he.
"Do you consider the forms of introduction, and the stress that is laid on them, as nonsense? I cannot quite agree with you there. What you say so, Mary? for you are a great lady of deep reflection, i know, and read great books, and make extracts."
Mary wished to say something very sensible, but knew not how.
"While Mary is adjusting her ideas ," he continued," let us return to Mr.Prithvi."
"I am sick of Mr. Prithvi,"cried his wife.
"I am sorry to hear that ;but why did you not tell me before? If I had known as much this morning, i certainly would not have called on him . It is very unlucky; but as I have actually paid the visit, we cannot escape the acquaintance now."
"The astonishment of the ladies was just as he wished;that of Mr.John perhaps surpassing the rest; though when the first tumult of joy was over , she began to declare that it was what she had expected all the while.
"How good it was in you, my dear Mr. John ! But I knew I should persuade you at last. I was sure You loved your Girls to well to neglect such an acquaintance .
Well! how pleased I am ! and it is such a good joke, too , that you should have gone this morning, and never said a word about till now."
"Now, Kitty ,you may have your cough as much as you choose,"said Mr.John;and, ashe spoke, he left the room, fatigued with the ruptures of his wife ."
"What an excellent father you have ! girls," said Mrs.John , when the door was shut."I do not know how you will ever make him amends for his kindness; or me either , for that matter. At our time of life it is not so pleasant , I can tell you , to make a new acquaintance everyday; but for your sakes, we should do anything. Lydia, my love , though you are the youngest , I dare say Mr.Prithvi will dance with you at the next ball."
"Oh!" said Lydia stoutly," I am not afraid; for though I am the youngest , I am the tallest."
The rest of the evening was spent in conjecturing how soon he would return Mr.John's visit and determining when they should ask him to dinner.
The story is so long And I have decided to make it in parts .
Please Upvote this Post .
Re-steem this post as many times as possible.
The dollar Value at the end of the story will be divided in equal proportions.
