Page:Fragment of a novel written by Jane Austen.pdf/178

 charitable subscriptions in a place of this kind—It is a sort of tax upon all that come—Yet as their distress is very great & I almost promised the poor Woman yesterday to get something done for her, I beleive we must set a subscription on foot—& therefore the sooner the better,—& Lady Denham's name at the head of the List will be a very necessary beginning.—You will not dislike speaking to her about it, Mary?"—"I will do whatever you wish me, replied his Wife—but you would do it so much better yourself. I shall not know what to say."—"My dear Mary, cried he, it is impossible you can be really at a loss. Nothing can be more simple. You have only to state the present afflicted situation of the family, their earnest application to me, & my being willing to promote a little subscription for their