Page:Austen - Mansfield Park, vol. I, 1814.djvu/272

 Norval, every evening of my life though one Christmas holidays."

"It was a very different thing.—You must see the difference yourself. My Father wished us, as school-boys, to speak well, but he would never wish his grown up daughters to be acting plays. His sense of decorum is strict."

"I know all that," said Tom displeased. "I know my Father as well as you do, and I'll take care that his daughters do nothing to distress him. Manage your own concerns, Edmund, and I'll take care of the rest of the family."

"If you are resolved on acting," replied the persevering Edmund, "I must hope it will be in a very small and quiet way; and I think a theatre ought not to be attempted.—It would be taking liberties with my Father's house in his absence which could not be justified."

"For every thing of that nature, I will be answerable"—said Tom, in a decided tone.—"His house shall not be hurt. I have quite as great an interest in being careful