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and a strong inclination for a handsome present from his father；
but here； as on most topics； he had the superiority； for while Mary
thought it a great shame that such a present was not made； he
always contended for his father’s having many other uses for his
money； and a right to spend it as he liked。
As to the management of their children； his theory was much
better than his wife’s； and his practice not so bad。—“I could
manage them very well； if it were not for Mary’s interference；”—
was what Anne often heard him say； and had a good deal of faith
in； but when listening in turn to Mary’s reproach of “Charles
spoils the children so that I cannot get them into any order；”—she
never had the smallest temptation to say； “Very true。”
One of the least agreeable circumstances of her residence there
was her being treated with too much confidence by all parties； and
being too much in the secret of the complaints of each house。
Known to have some influence with her sister； she was continually
requested； or at least receiving hints to exert it； beyond what was
practicable。 “I wish you could persuade Mary not to be always
fancying herself ill；” was Charles’s language； and； in an unhappy
mood； thus spoke Mary—“I do believe if Charles were to see me
dying； he would not think there was anything the matter with me。
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I am sure； Anne； if you would； you might persuade him that I
really am very ill—a great deal worse than I ever own。”
Mary’s declaration was； “I hate sending the children to the
Great House； though their grandmamma is always wanting to see
them； for she humours and indulges them to such a degree； and
gives them so much trash and sweet things； that they are sure to
come back sick and cross for the rest of the day。”—And Mrs。
Musgrove took the first opportunity of being alone with Anne； to
say； “Oh！ Miss Anne； I cannot help wishing Mrs。 Charles had a
little of your method with those children。 They are quite different
creatures with you！ But to be sure； in general they are so spoilt！ It
is a pity you cannot put your sister in the way of managing them。
They are as fine healthy children as ever were seen； poor little
dears； without partiality； but Mrs。 Charles knows no more how
they should be treated！—Bless me； how troublesome they are
sometimes！—I assure you； Miss Anne； it prevents my wishing to
see them at our house so often as I otherwise should。 I believe Mrs。
Charles is not quite pleased with my not inviting them oftener； but
you know it is very bad to have children with one that one is
obligated to be checking every moment； ‘don’t do this； and don’t
do that；’—or that one can only keep in tolerable order by more
cake than is good for them。”
She had this communication； moreover； from Mary。 “Mrs。
Musgrove thinks all her servants so steady； that it would be high
treason to call it in question； but I am sure； without exaggeration；
that her upper house…maid and laundry…maid； instead of being in
their business； are gadding about the village； all day long。 I meet
them wherever I go； and I declare； I never go twice into my
nursery without seeing something of them。 If Jemima were not the
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trustiest； steadiest creature in the world； it would be enough to
spoil her； for she tells me； they are always tempting her to take a
walk with them。” And on Mrs。 Musgrove’s side； it was；—“I make a
rule of never interfering in any of my daughter…in…law’s concerns；
for I know it would not do； but I shall tell you； Miss Anne； because
you may be able to set things to rights； that I have no very good
opinion of Mrs。 Charles’s nursery…maid： I hear strange stories of
her； she is always upon the gad； and from my own knowledge； I
can declare； she is such a fine…dressing lady； that she is enough to
ruin any servants she comes near。 Mrs。 Charles quite swears by
her； I know； but I just give you this hint； that you may be upon the
watch； because； if you see anything amiss； you need not be afraid
of mentioning it。”
Again； it was Mary’s complaint； that Mrs。 Musgrove was very
apt not to give her the precedence that was her due； when they
dined at the Great House with other families； and she did not see
any reason why she was to be considered so much at home as to
lose her place。 And one day when Anne was walking with only the
Musgroves； one of them after talking of rank； people of rank； and
jealousy of rank； said； “I have no scruple of observing to you； how
nonsensical some persons are about their place； because all the
world knows how easy and indifferent you are about it； but I wish
anybody could give Mary a hint that it would be a great deal better
if she were not so very tenacious； especially if she would not be
always putting herself forward to take place of mamma。 Nobody
doubts her right to have precedence of mamma； but it would be
more becoming in her not to be always insisting on it。 It is not that
mamma cares about it the least in the world； but I know it is taken
notice of by many persons。”
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How was Anne to set all these matters to rights？ She could do
little more than listen patiently； soften every grievance； and
excuse each to the other； give them all hints of the forbearance
necessary between such near neighbours； and make those hints
broadest which were meant for her sister’s benefit。
In all other respects； her visit began and proceeded very well。
Her own spirits improved by change of place and subject； by being
removed three miles from Kellynch； Mary’s ailments lessened by
having a constant compa