Нортенгерське абатство
Chapter 3
Iboughtoneforhertheotherday,anditwaspronouncedtobeaprodigiousbargainbyeveryladywhosawit.Igavebutfiveshillingsayardforit,andatrueIndianmuslin.”
Mrs.Allenwasquitestruckbyhisgenius.“Mencommonlytakesolittlenoticeofthosethings,”saidshe;“IcannevergetMr.Allentoknowoneofmygownsfromanother.Youmustbeagreatcomforttoyoursister,sir.”
“IhopeIam,madam.”
“Andpray,sir,whatdoyouthinkofMissMorland’sgown?”
“Itisverypretty,madam,”saidhe,gravelyexaminingit;“butIdonotthinkitwillwashwell;Iamafraiditwillfray.”
“Howcanyou,”saidCatherine,laughing,“beso—”Shehadalmostsaid“strange.”
“Iamquiteofyouropinion,sir,”repliedMrs.Allen;“andsoItoldMissMorlandwhensheboughtit.”
“Butthenyouknow,madam,muslinalwaysturnstosomeaccountorother;MissMorlandwillgetenoughoutofitforahandkerchief,oracap,oracloak.Muslincanneverbesaidtobewasted.Ihaveheardmysistersaysofortytimes,whenshehasbeenextravagantinbuyingmorethanshewanted,orcarelessincuttingittopieces.”
“Bathisacharmingplace,sir;therearesomanygoodshopshere.Wearesadlyoffinthecountry;notbutwhatwehaveverygoodshopsinSalisbury,butitissofartogo—eightmilesisalongway;Mr.Allensaysitisnine,measurednine;butIamsureitcannotbemorethaneight;anditissuchafag—Icomebacktiredtodeath.Now,hereonecanstepoutofdoorsandgetathinginfiveminutes.”
Mr.
