Chapter 2 7
" Aye , so it is ," cried her mother , " and Mrs . Long does not come back till the day before ; so it will be impossible for her to introduce him , for she will not know him herself ."
" Then , my dear , you may have the advantage of your friend , and introduce Mr . Bingley to her ."
" Impossible , Mr . Bennet , impossible , when I am not acquainted with him myself ; how can you be so teasing ?"
" I honour your circumspection . A fortnight ' s acquaintance is certainly very little . One cannot know what a man really is by the end of a fortnight . But if we do not venture somebody else will ; and after all , Mrs . Long and her daughters must stand their chance ; and , therefore , as she will think it an act of kindness , if you decline the office , I will take it on myself ."
The girls stared at their father . Mrs . Bennet said only , " Nonsense , nonsense !"
" What can be the meaning of that emphatic exclamation ?" cried he . " Do you consider the forms of introduction , and the stress that is laid on them , as nonsense ? I cannot quite agree with you there . What say you , Mary ? For you are a young lady of deep reflection , I know , and read great books and make extracts ."
Mary wished to say something sensible , but knew not how .
" While Mary is adjusting her ideas ," he continued , " let us return to Mr . Bingley ."
" I am sick of Mr . Bingley ," cried his wife .
" I am sorry to hear that ; but why did not you tell me that before ? If I had known as much this morning I certainly would not have called on him . It is very unlucky ; but as I have actually paid the visit , we cannot escape the acquaintance now ."