Chapter 5

           ThenexteveningoldMr.SillertonJacksoncametodinewiththeArchers.Mrs.Archerwasashywomanandshrankfromsociety;butshelikedtobewell-informedastoitsdoings.HeroldfriendMr.SillertonJacksonappliedtotheinvestigationofhisfriends’affairsthepatienceofacollectorandthescienceofanaturalist;andhissister,MissSophyJackson,wholivedwithhim,andwasentertainedbyallthepeoplewhocouldnotsecurehermuch-sought-afterbrother,broughthomebitsofminorgossipthatfilledoutusefullythegapsinhispicture.Therefore,wheneveranythinghappenedthatMrs.Archerwantedtoknowabout,sheaskedMr.Jacksontodine;andasshehonouredfewpeoplewithherinvitations,andassheandherdaughterJaneywereanexcellentaudience,Mr.Jacksonusuallycamehimselfinsteadofsendinghissister.Ifhecouldhavedictatedalltheconditions,hewouldhavechosentheeveningswhenNewlandwasout;notbecausetheyoungmanwasuncongenialtohim(thetwogotoncapitallyattheirclub)butbecausetheoldanecdotistsometimesfelt,onNewland’spart,atendencytoweighhisevidencethattheladiesofthefamilynevershowed.Mr.Jackson,ifperfectionhadbeenattainableonearth,wouldalsohaveaskedthatMrs.Archer’sfoodshouldbealittlebetter.