Page:Fragment of a novel written by Jane Austen.pdf/142

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

( 124 )

  • The World is pretty much divided

between the Weak of Mind & the Strong—between those who can act & those who can not, & it is the bounden Duty of the Capable to let no opportunity of being useful escape them.—My Sister's Complaints & mine are happily not often of a Nature, to threaten Existence immediately—& as long as we can exert ourselves to be of use of others, I am convinced that the Body is the better, for the refreshment the Mind receives in doing it's Duty.—While I have been travelling, with this object in veiw, I have been perfectly well."—The entrance of the Children ended this little panegyric on her own Disposition—& after having noticed & caressed them all,—she prepared to go.—"Cannot you dine with us?—Is not it possible to prevail on you to dine

with us?" was then the cry; and that

being