Mr. Bennet was one of the first to visit Mr. Jones. He had always intended to visit him, though even to the last minute he told his wife that he would not; she was even unaware of the visit till the evening after it was paid. He then told all in the following manner: - Seeing his second daughter busy with trimming a hat, he suddenly addressed her with,

"I hope Mr. Jones will like it, (N/N)."

"We are not going to know what Mr. Jones likes," said her mother resentfully, "since we are not going to visit."

"But you forget, mamma." said (Y/N), "that we will meet him at the assemblies, and that Mrs. Long has promised to introduce him."

"I do not believe Mrs. Long will do any such thing. She has two nieces of her own. She is a selfish, hypocritical woman, and I have no opinion of her."

"Neither do I," replied Mr. Bennet; "and I am glad that you do not depend on her serving you."

Mrs. Bennet was determined not to respond, but, unable to contain herself, she began scolding one of her daughters.

"Don't keep coughing like that, Lovina, for Heaven's sake! Have some compassion for my nerves. You'll tear them to pieces."

"I do not cough for my own amusement," replied Lovina fretfully. "When is your next ball , (Y/N)?"

"Two weeks from tomorrow."

"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, and be able to introduce Mr. Jones to her."

"Impossible Mr. Bennet, impossible; I will not be acquainted with him. How can you tease me so?"

"I honor your prudence. Two weeks acquaintance is not much. You cannot know what a man is really like in that short amount of time. But if we do not try somebody else will; and after all, Mrs. Long and her nieces must have a chance. And considering she will consider it an act of kindness, if you do not introduce them, I will do it myself."

The girls stared at their father. Mrs. Bennet only said, "Nonsense, nonsense!"

"What is the meaning of that forceful response?" he cried. "Do you consider the traditions of introduction as nonsense? I do not agree with you there. What do you say Lili? You do a lot of deep thinking, and read a great many books."

Lili wanted to say something wise, but did not know how.

"While Lili is straightening her thoughts," he continued, "let us go back to Mr. Jones."

"I am sick of Mr. Jones," cried his wife.

"I am sorry to hear that; why didn't you tell me this before? If I had known that I wouldn't have called on him. It is very unlucky, but since I have already paid the visit, we can't escape the acquaintance now."

The ladies astonishment was just what he wished; Mrs. Bennet's suprise quite possibly surpased the rest; though when the initial shock was over, she began to declare that she had suspected as much the whole time.

"How good it was of you, my dear Mr. Bennet. I knew I would pursuade you at last. I was sure you loved your girls too well to neglect such an acqaintance. Well, how pleased I am. And it is such a good joke that you went this mornig and told none of us about it till now."

"Now Lovina, you may cough as much as you choose," said Mr. Bennet; and as he spoke he left the room, tired of his wife's excitement.

"What an excellent father you have girls!" she exclaimed when the door was shut. "I do not know how you will ever repay him for his kindness; or me either, for that matter. It isn't very pleasant to be making acquaintances every day at our age, but for your sakes, we would do anything. Felicia, my love, though you are the youngest, I am sure Mr. Jones will dance with you at the next ball."

"Oh!" said Felicia stoutly, "I am not afraid; for though I am the youngest, I'm the tallest."

The rest of the evening was spent wondering how soon he would return Mr. Bennet's visit, and determining when they should ask him to dinner.