Chapter 1 4
" You are over-scrupulous , surely . I dare say Mr . Bingley will be very glad to see you ; and I will send a few lines by you to assure him of my hearty consent to his marrying whichever he chooses of the girls ; though I must throw in a good word for my little Lizzy ."
" I desire you will do no such thing . Lizzy is not a bit better than the others ; and I am sure she is not half so handsome as Jane , nor half so good-humoured as Lydia . But you are always giving her the preference ."
" They have none of them much to recommend them ," replied he ; " they are all silly and ignorant like other girls ; but Lizzy has something more of quickness than her sisters ."
" Mr . Bennet , how can you abuse your own children in such a way ? You take delight in vexing me . You have no compassion for my poor nerves ."
" You mistake me , my dear . I have a high respect for your nerves . They are my old friends . I have heard you mention them with consideration these last twenty years at least ."
" Ah , you do not know what I suffer ."
" But I hope you will get over it , and live to see many young men of four thousand a year come into the neighbourhood ."
" It will be no use to us , if twenty such should come , since you will not visit them ."
" Depend upon it , my dear , that when there are twenty , I will visit them all ."
Mr . Bennet was so odd a mixture of quick parts , sarcastic humour , reserve , and caprice , that the experience of three-and-twenty years had been insufficient to make his wife understand his character . Her mind was less difficult to develop . She was a woman of mean understanding , little information , and uncertain temper . When she was discontented , she fancied herself nervous . The business of her life was to get her daughters married ;