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."