Доводы рассудка

           Thewonderwas,howanyfamilyuponearthcouldbearwiththeinconvenienceofitsopeningasitdid,solong!YouwilltellSirWalterwhatwehavedone,andthatMrShepherdthinksitthegreatestimprovementthehouseeverhad.Indeed,Imustdoourselvesthejusticetosay,thatthefewalterationswehavemadehavebeenallverymuchforthebetter.Mywifeshouldhavethecreditofthem,however.Ihavedoneverylittlebesidessendingawaysomeofthelargelooking-glassesfrommydressing-room,whichwasyourfather’s.Averygoodman,andverymuchthegentlemanIamsure:butIshouldthink,MissElliot,”(lookingwithseriousreflection),“Ishouldthinkhemustberatheradressymanforhistimeoflife.Suchanumberoflooking-glasses!ohLord!therewasnogettingawayfromone’sself.SoIgotSophytolendmeahand,andwesoonshiftedtheirquarters;andnowIamquitesnug,withmylittleshavingglassinonecorner,andanothergreatthingthatInevergonear.”

           Anne,amusedinspiteofherself,wasratherdistressedforananswer,andtheAdmiral,fearinghemightnothavebeencivilenough,tookupthesubjectagain,tosay—

           “Thenexttimeyouwritetoyourgoodfather,MissElliot,praygivehimmycomplimentsandMrsCroft’s,andsaythatwearesettledherequitetoourliking,andhavenofaultatalltofindwiththeplace.Thebreakfast-roomchimneysmokesalittle,Igrantyou,butitisonlywhenthewindisduenorthandblowshard,whichmaynothappenthreetimesawinter