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had affected her spirits exceedingly； and thrown her into greater
grief for him than she had know on first hearing of his death。 Mr。
Musgrove was； in a lesser degree； affected likewise； and when they
reached the cottage； they were evidently in want； first； of being
listened to anew on this subject； and afterwards； of all the relief
which cheerful companions could give them。
To hear them talking so much of Captain Wentworth； repeating
his name so often； puzzling over past years； and at last
ascertaining that it might； that it probably would； turn out to be the
very same Captain Wentworth whom they recollected meeting；
once or twice； after their coming back from Clifton—a very fine
young man—but they could not say whether it was seven or eight
years ago； was a new sort of trial to Anne’s nerves。 She found；
however； that it was one to which she must inure herself。 Since he
actually was expected in the country； she must teach herself to be
insensible on such points。 And not only did it appear that he was
expected； and speedily； but the Musgroves； in their warm
gratitude for the kindness he had shewn poor Dick； and very high
respect for his character； stamped as it was by poor Dick’s having
been six months under his care； and mentioning him in strong；
though not perfectly well…spelt praise； as “a fine dashing felow；
only two perticular about the schoolmaster；” were bent on
introducing themselves； and seeking his acquaintance； as soon as
they could hear of his arrival。
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The resolution of doing so helped to form the comfort of their
evening。
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CHAPTER VII
very few days more； and Captain Wentworth was known
Ato be at Kellynch； and Mr。 Musgrove had called on him；
and come back warm in his praise； and he was engaged
with the Crofts to dine at Uppercross； by the end of another week。
It had been a great disappointment to Mr。 Musgrove to find that
no earlier day could be fixed； so impatient was he to shew his
gratitude； by seeing Captain Wentworth under his own roof； and
welcoming him to all that was strongest and best in his cellars。 But
a week must pass； only a week； in Anne’s reckoning； and then； she
supposed； they must meet； and soon she began to wish that she
could feel secure even for a week。
Captain Wentworth made a very early return to Mr。 Musgrove’s
civility； and she was all but calling there in the same half hour！—
She and Mary were actually setting forward for the Great House；
where； as she afterwards learnt； they must inevitably have found
him； when they were stopped by the eldest boy’s being at that
moment brought home in consequence of a bad fall。 The child’s
situation put the visit entirely aside； but she could not hear of her
escape with indifference； even in the midst of the serious anxiety
which they afterwards felt on his account。
His collar…bone was found to be dislocated； and such injury
received in the back； as roused the most alarming ideas。 It was an
afternoon of distress； and Anne had every thing to do at once—the
apothecary to send for—the father to have pursued and
informed—the mother to support and keep from hysterics—the
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servants to control—the youngest child to banish； and the poor
suffering one to attend and soothe；—besides sending； as soon as
she recollected it； proper notice to the other house； which brought
her an accession rather of frightened； enquiring companions； than
of very useful assistants。
Her brother’s return was the first comfort； he could take best
care of his wife； and the second blessing was the arrival of the
apothecary。 Till he came and had examined the child； their
apprehensions were the worse for being vague；—they suspected
great injury； but knew not where； but now the collar…bone was
soon replaced； and though Mr。 Robinson felt and felt； and rubbed；
and looked grave； and spoke low words both to the father and the
aunt； still they were all to hope the best； and to be able to part and
eat their dinner in tolerable ease of mind； and then it was； just
before they parted； that the two young aunts were able so far to
digress from their nephew’s state； as to give the information of
Captain Wentworth’s visit；—staying five minutes behind their
father and mother； to endeavour to express how perfectly
delighted they were with him； how much handsomer； how
infinitely more agreeable they thought him than any individual
among their male acquaintance； who had been at all a favourite
before—how glad they had been to hear papa invite him to stay
dinner—how sorry when he said it was quite out of his power—
and how glad again when he had promised in reply to papa and
mamma’s farther pressing invitations to come and dine with them
on the morrow； actually on the morrow！—And he had promised it
in so pleasant a manner； as if he felt all the motive of their
attention just as he ought！—And； in short； he had looked and said
everything with such exquisite grace； that they could assure them
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all； their heads were both turned by him！—And off they ran； quite
as full of glee as of love； and apparently more full of Captain
Wentworth than of little Charles。
The same story and the same raptures were repeated； when the
two girls came with their father； through the gloom of the evening；
to make enquiries； and Mr。 Musgrove； no longer under the first
uneasiness about his heir； could add his confirmation and praise；
and hope there would be now no occasion for putting Captain
Wentworth off； and only be sorry to think that the cottage party；
probably； would not like to leave the little boy； to give him the
meeting。—“Oh no； as to leaving the little boy！”—both father and
mother were in much too strong and recent alarm to bear the
thought； and Anne； in the joy of the escape； could not help adding
her warm protestations to theirs。
Charles Musgrove； indeed； afterwards； shewed more of
inclination； “the child was going on so well—and he wished so
much to be introduced to Captain Wentworth； that； perhaps； he
might join them in the evening； he would not dine from home； but
he might walk in for half an hour。” But in this he was eagerly
opposed by his wife； with “Oh！ no； indeed； Charles； I cannot bear
to have you go away。 Only think if anything should happen？”
The child had a good night； and was going on well the next day。
It must be a work of time to ascertain that no injury had been done
to the spine； but Mr。 Robinson found nothing to increase alarm；
and Charles Musgrove began； consequently； to feel no necessity
for longer confinement。 The child was to be kept in bed and
amused as quietly as possible； but what was there for a father to
do？ This was quite a female case； and it would be highly absurd in
him； who could be of no use at home； to shut himself up。 His father
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen