Mrs. Bennet goes out--on her way to the kitchen. The Misses
Wetherell look at one another again. The hammering recommences.
THE YOUNGER MISS WETHERELL [she hesitates a moment, then goes to the
open door and calls]. Bennet--Bennet! [She returns and waits.
Bennet comes in.]
Oh, Bennet, your wife tells us you are putting up a few texts in her
ladyship's bedroom.
BENNET. It seemed to me that a silent voice, speaking to her, as it
were, from the wall -
THE YOUNGER MISS WETHERELL. It is so good of you--only, you--you
will be careful there is nothing she could regard as a PERSONAL
allusion.
BENNET. Many of the most popular I was compelled to reject, purely
for that reason.
THE ELDER MISS WETHERELL. We felt sure we could trust to your
discretion.
THE YOUNGER MISS WETHERELL. You see, coming, as she does, from a
good family -
BENNET. It is that--I speak merely for myself--that gives me hope of
reclaiming her.
A silence. The two ladies, feeling a little helpless, again look at
one another.
THE ELDER MISS WETHERELL. We must be very sympathetic.
THE YOUNGER MISS WETHERELL. And patient, Bennet.
BENNET. It is what I am preparing myself to be. Of course, if you
think them inadvisable, I can take them down again.
THE YOUNGER MISS WETHERELL. No, Bennet, oh no! I should leave them
up. Very thoughtful of you, indeed.
BENNET. It seemed to me one ought to leave no stone unturned. [He
returns to his labours in the bedroom.
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