Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 176 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 176

JANE AUSTEN

all night. He took the hint, and when Mary had finished

her second song, said aloud, “That will do extremely

well, child. You have delighted us long enough. Let the

other young ladies have time to exhibit.”

Mary, though pretending not to hear, was somewhat

disconcerted; and Elizabeth, sorry for her, and sorry for

her father’s speech, was afraid her anxiety had done no

good. Others of the party were now applied to.

“If I,” said Mr. Collins, “were so fortunate as to be

able to sing, I should have great pleasure, I am sure, in

obliging the company with an air; for I consider music

as a very innocent diversion, and perfectly compatible

with the profession of a clergyman. I do not mean,

however, to assert that we can be justified in devoting

too much of our time to music, for there are certainly

other things to be attended to. The rector of a parish

has much to do. In the first place, he must make such

an agreement for tithes as may be beneficial to himself

and not offensive to his patron. He must write his own

sermons; and the time that remains will not be too

much for his parish duties, and the care and improve-

ment of his dwelling, which he cannot be excused from

making as comfortable as possible. And I do not think

it of light importance that he should have attentive and

168