“吉蒂真不知趣,”她的父亲说;“咳嗽也不知道拣个时候。”
“我又不是故意咳着玩儿。”吉蒂气恼地回答道。
"No more have I, " said Mr. Bennet; "and I am glad to find that you do not depend on her serving you. "
Mrs. Bennet deigned not to make any reply, but, unable to contain herself, began scolding one of her daughters.
"Don't keep coughing so, Kitty, for Heaven's sake! Have a little compassion on my nerves. You tear them to pieces. "
"Kitty has no discretion in her coughs, " said her father; "she times them ill. "
"I do not cough for my own amusement, " replied Kitty fretfully. "When is your next ball to be, Lizzy?"
"To-morrow fortnight. "
"Aye, so it is, " cried her mother, "and Mrs. Long does not come back till the day before; so it will be impossible for her to introduce him, for she will not know him herself. "
"Then, my dear, you may have the advantage of your friend, and introduce Mr. Bingley to HER. "
"Impossible, Mr. Bennet, impossible, when I am not acquainted with him myself; how can you be so teasing?"