Доводы рассудка

           WhatanimmensetimeMrsClayhasbeenstayingwithElizabeth!Doesshenevermeantogoaway?Butperhapsifsheweretoleavetheroomvacant,wemightnotbeinvited.Letmeknowwhatyouthinkofthis.Idonotexpectmychildrentobeasked,youknow.IcanleavethemattheGreatHouseverywell,foramonthorsixweeks.IhavethismomentheardthattheCroftsaregoingtoBathalmostimmediately;theythinktheAdmiralgouty.Charleshearditquitebychance;theyhavenothadthecivilitytogivemeanynotice,orofofferingtotakeanything.Idonotthinktheyimproveatallasneighbours.Weseenothingofthem,andthisisreallyaninstanceofgrossinattention.Charlesjoinsmeinlove,andeverythingproper.Yoursaffectionately,

           “MaryM——.

           “IamsorrytosaythatIamveryfarfromwell;andJemimahasjusttoldmethatthebutchersaysthereisabadsore-throatverymuchabout.IdaresayIshallcatchit;andmysore-throats,youknow,arealwaysworsethananybody’s.”

           Soendedthefirstpart,whichhadbeenafterwardsputintoanenvelope,containingnearlyasmuchmore.

           “Ikeptmyletteropen,thatImightsendyouwordhowLouisaboreherjourney,andnowIamextremelygladIdid,havingagreatdealtoadd.Inthefirstplace,IhadanotefromMrsCroftyesterday,offeringtoconveyanythingtoyou;averykind,friendlynoteindeed,addressedtome,justasitought;IshallthereforebeabletomakemyletteraslongasIlike.TheAdmiraldoesnotseemveryill,andIsincerelyhopeBathwilldohimallthegoodhewants.