'
'But these unfortunates are probably quite as unable to talk on any
very wise subjects, as your beloved old people, to whom you give a
license to gossip,' said Anne; 'and you do not wish to condemn them
to perpetual silence. They are most likely to be estimable people,
who ought to be amused.'
'Estimable--yes, perhaps,' said Elizabeth, 'but then I cannot esteem
a silly gossip.'
'Why, Lizzie,' cried Anne, 'you are still at the old story that it is
better to be wicked than stupid; at least, you reason upon that
foundation, though you do not really think so.'
'I believe,' said Elizabeth, 'that there must be some great crook in
my mind; for though I know and believe as firmly as I do any other
important thing, that mere intellect is utterly worthless, I cannot
feel it; it bewitches me as beauty does some people, and I suppose
always will, till I grow old and stupid, or get my mind into better
order.'
'Really,' said Anne, 'I think the strongest proof of your beginning
to grow old and stupid, is your doing such a very common-place thing,
as to abuse honest gossip.
Pages:
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145