Chapter 15 75
Phillips ' s throwing up the parlour window and loudly seconding the invitation .
Mrs . Phillips was always glad to see her nieces ; and the two eldest , from their recent absence , were particularly welcome , and she was eagerly expressing her surprise at their sudden return home , which , as their own carriage had not fetched them , she should have known nothing about , if she had not happened to see Mr . Jones ' s shop-boy in the street , who had told her that they were not to send any more draughts to Netherfield because the Miss Bennets were come away , when her civility was claimed towards Mr . Collins by Jane ' s introduction of him . She received him with her very best politeness , which he returned with as much more , apologising for his intrusion , without any previous acquaintance with her , which he could not help flattering himself , however , might be justified by his relationship to the young ladies who introduced him to her notice . Mrs . Phillips was quite awed by such an excess of good breeding ; but her contemplation of one stranger was soon put to an end by exclamations and inquiries about the other ; of whom , however , she could only tell her nieces what they already knew , that Mr . Denny had brought him from London , and that he was to have a lieutenant ' s commission in the ----shire . She had been watching him the last hour , she said , as he walked up and down the street , and had Mr . Wickham appeared , Kitty and Lydia would certainly have continued the occupation , but unluckily no one passed windows now except a few of the officers , who , in comparison with the stranger , were become " stupid , disagreeable fellows ." Some of them were to dine with the Phillipses the next day , and their aunt promised to make her husband call on Mr . Wickham , and give him an invitation also , if the family from Longbourn would come in the evening . This was agreed to , and Mrs . Phillips protested that they would have a nice comfortable noisy game of lottery tickets , and a little bit of hot supper afterwards . The prospect of such delights was very cheering , and they parted in mutual good spirits . Mr . Collins repeated his apologies in quitting the room , and was assured with unwearying civility that they were perfectly needless .
As they walked home , Elizabeth related to Jane what she had seen pass between the two gentlemen ; but though Jane would have defended either or