sense and sensibility(理智与情感)-第4节
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was said to have died； and afterwards it turned out to be no such
thing。 My mother was quite sick of it。 Her income was not her
own； she said； with such perpetual claims on it； and it was the
more unkind in my father； because； otherwise； the money would
have been entirely at my mother’s disposal； without any restriction
whatever。 It has given me such an abhorrence of annuities； that I
am sure I would not pin myself down to the payment of one for all
the world。”
“It is certainly an unpleasant thing；” replied Mr。 Dashwood； “to
have those kind of yearly drains on one’s income。 One’s fortune； as
your mother justly says； is not one’s own。 To be tied down to the
regular payment of such a sum； on every rent day； is by no means
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desirable： it takes away one’s independence。”
“Undoubtedly； and after all you have no thanks for it。 They
think themselves secure； you do no more than what is expected；
and it raises no gratitude at all。 If I were you； whatever I did
should be done at my own discretion entirely。 I would not bind
myself to allow them any thing yearly。 It may be very inconvenient
some years to spare a hundred； or even fifty pounds from our own
expenses。”
“I believe you are right； my love； it will be better that there
should by no annuity in the case； whatever I may give them
occasionally will be of far greater assistance than a yearly
allowance； because they would only enlarge their style of living if
they felt sure of a larger income； and would not be sixpence the
richer for it at the end of the year。 It will certainly be much the
best way。 A present of fifty pounds； now and then； will prevent
their ever being distressed for money； and will； I think； be amply
discharging my promise to my father。”
“To be sure it will。 Indeed； to say the truth； I am convinced
within myself that your father had no idea of your giving them any
money at all。 The assistance he thought of； I dare say； was only
such as might be reasonably expected of you； for instance； such as
looking out for a comfortable small house for them； helping them
to move their things； and sending them presents of fish and game；
and so forth； whenever they are in season。 I’ll lay my life that he
meant nothing farther； indeed； it would be very strange and
unreasonable if he did。 Do but consider； my dear Mr。 Dashwood；
how excessively comfortable your mother…in…law and her
daughters may live on the interest of seven thousand pounds；
besides the thousand pounds belonging to each of the girls； which
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brings them in fifty pounds a year a…piece； and； of course； they will
pay their mother for their board out of it。 Altogether； they will
have five hundred a…year amongst them； and what on earth can
four women want for more than that？—They will live so cheap！
Their housekeeping will be nothing at all。 They will have no
carriage； no horses； and hardly any servants； they will keep no
company； and can have no expenses of any kind！ Only conceive
how comfortable they will be！ Five hundred a year！ I am sure I
cannot imagine how they will spend half of it； and as to your giving
them more； it is quite absurd to think of it。 They will be much
more able to give you something。”
“Upon my word；” said Mr。 Dashwood； “I believe you are
perfectly right。 My father certainly could mean nothing more by
his request to me than what you say。 I clearly understand it now；
and I will strictly fulfil my engagement by such acts of assistance
and kindness to them as you have described。 When my mother
removes into another house my services shall be readily given to
accommodate her as far as I can。 Some little present of furniture
too may be acceptable then。”
“Certainly；” returned Mrs。 John Dashwood。 “But； however； one
thing must be considered。 When your father and mother moved to
Norland； though the furniture of Stanhill was sold； all the china；
plate； and linen was saved； and is now left to your mother。 Her
house will therefore be almost completely fitted up as soon as she
takes it。”
“That is a material consideration undoubtedly。 A valuable
legacy indeed！ And yet some of the plate would have been a very
pleasant addition to our own stock here。”
“Yes； and the set of breakfast china is twice as handsome as
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what belongs to this house。 A great deal too handsome； in my
e
opinion； for any place th y can ever afford to live in。 But； however；
so it is。 Your father thought only of them。 And I must say this： that
you owe no particular gratitude to him； nor attention to his wishes；
for we very well know that if he could； he would have left almost
everything in the world to them。”
This argument was irresistible。 It gave to his intentions
whatever of decision was wanting before； and he finally resolved；
that it would be absolutely unnecessary； if not highly indecorous；
to do more for the widow and children of his father； than such
kind of neighbourly acts as his own wife pointed out。
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CHAPTER III
rs。 Dashwood remained at Norland several months；
not from any disinclination to move when the sight of
M
every well known spot ceased to raise the violent
emotion which it produced for a while； for when her spirits began
to revive； and her mind became capable of some other exertion
than that of heightening its affliction by melancholy
remembrances； she was impatient to be gone； and indefatigable in
her inquiries for a suitable dwelling in the neighbourhood of
Norland； for to remove far from that beloved spot was impossible。
But she could hear of no situation that at once answered her
notions of comfort and ease； and suited the prudence of her eldest
daughter； whose steadier judgment rejected several houses as too
large for their income； which her mother would have approved。
Mrs。 Dashwood had been informed by her husband of the
solemn promise on the part of his son in their favour； which gave
comfort to his last earthly reflections。 She doubted the sincerity of
this assurance no more than he had doubted it himself； and she
thought of it for her daughters’ sake with satisfaction； though as
for herself she was persuaded that a much smaller provision than
7000 l。 would support her in affluence。 For their brother’s sake；
too； for the sake of his own heart； she rejoiced； and she reproached
herself for being unjust to his merit before； in believing him
incapable of generosity。 His attentive behaviour to herself and his
sisters convinced her that their welfare was dear to him； and； for a
long time； she firmly relied on the liberality of his intentions。
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The contempt which she had； very early in their acquaintance；
felt for her daughter…in…law； was very much increased by the
far
