CHAPTER XXXIX

t,withoutcontrivanceorregularitydissatisfiedwithherservants,withoutskilltomakethembetter,andwhetherhelping,orreprimanding,orindulgingthem,withoutanypowerofengagingtheirrespect. Ofhertwosisters,Mrs.PriceverymuchmoreresembledLadyBertramthanMrs.Norris.Shewasamanagerbynecessity,withoutanyofMrs.Norris’sinclinationforit,oranyofheractivity.Herdispositionwasnaturallyeasyandindolent,likeLadyBertram’sandasituationofsimilaraffluenceanddo-nothingnesswouldhavebeenmuchmoresuitedtohercapacitythantheexertionsandself-denialsoftheonewhichherimprudentmarriagehadplacedherin.ShemighthavemadejustasgoodawomanofconsequenceasLadyBertram,butMrs.Norriswouldhavebeenamorerespectablemotherofninechildrenonasmallincome. MuchofallthisFannycouldnotbutbesensibleof.Shemightscrupletomakeuseofthewords,butshemustanddidfeelthathermotherwasapartial,ill-judgingparent,adawdle,aslattern,whoneithertaughtnorrestrainedherchildren,whosehousewasthesceneofmismanagementanddiscomfortfrombeginningtoend,andwhohadnotalent,noconversation,noaffectiontowardsherselfnocuriositytoknowherbetter,nodesireofherfriendship,andnoinclinationforhercompanythatcouldlessenhersenseofsuchfeelings. Fannywasveryanxioustobeuseful,andnottoappearaboveherhome,orinanywaydisqualifiedordisinclined,byherforeigneducation,fromcontributingherhelptoitscomforts,andthereforesetaboutworkingforSamimmediatelyandbyworkingearlyandlate,withperseveranceandgreatdespatch,didsomuchthattheboywasshippedoffatlast,withmorethanhalfhislinenready.Shehadgreatpleasureinfeelingherusefulness,butcouldnotc