@@@@@Yates was still talking“To own the truth,
@@@@@Yates was still talking“To own the truth, Sir Thomas, we
were in the middle of a rehearsal when you arrived this eveningWe
were going through the three first acts, and not unsuccessfully upon
the wholeOur company is now so dispersed, from the Crawfords
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being gone home, that nothing more can be done to-night; but if
you will give us the honour of your company to-morrow evening, I
should not be afraid of the resultWe bespeak your indulgence, you
understand, as young performers; we bespeak your indulgence
“My indulgence shall be given, sir,” replied Sir Thomas gravely,
“but without any other rehearsal And with a relenting smile, he
added, “I come home to be happy and indulgent Then turning
away towards any or all of the rest, he tranquilly said, “Mrand Miss
Crawford were mentioned in my last letters from MansfieldDo
you find them agreeable acquaintance?”
Tom was the only one at all ready with an answer, but he being
entirely without particular regard for either, without jealousy either
in love or acting, could speak very handsomely of both
Crawford was a most pleasant, gentleman-like man; his sister a sweet,
pretty, elegant, lively girlRushworth could be silent no longer“I do not say he is not
gentleman-like, considering; but you should tell your father he is
not above five feet eight, or he will be expecting a well-looking man
Sir Thomas did not quite understand this, and looked with some
surprise at the speaker
“If I must say what I think,” continued MrRushworth, “in my
opinion it is very disagreeable to be always rehearsingIt is having
too much of a good thingI am not so fond of acting as I was at
firstI think we are a great deal better employed, sitting comfortably
here among ourselves, and doing nothing
Sir Thomas looked again, and then replied with an approving
smile, “I am happy to find our sentiments on this subject so much
the sameIt gives me sincere satisfactionThat I should be cautious
and quick-sighted, and feel many scruples which my children do
not feel, is perfectly natural; and equally so that my value for domestic
tranquillity, for a home which shuts out noisy pleasures,
should much exceed theirsBut at your time of life to feel all this, is
a most favourable circumstance for yourself, and for everybody connected
with you; and I am sensible of the importance of having an
ally of such weight
Sir Thomas meant to be giving MrRushworth’s opinion in better
words than he could find him