? ? ? ? "That is exactly what I should have guessed it, madam," said Mr. Tilney, looking at the muslin.
? ? ? ? "Do you understand muslins, sir?"
? ? ? ? "Particularly well; I always buy my own cravats, and am allowed to be an excellent judge; and my sister has often trusted me in the choice of a gown. I bought one for her the other day, and it was pronounced to be a prodigious bargain by every lady who saw it. I gave but five shillings a yard for it, and a true Indian muslin."
? ? ? ? Mrs. Allen was quite struck by his genius. "Men commonly take so little notice of those things," said she; "I can never get Mr. Allen to know one of my gowns from another. You must be a great comfort to your sister, sir."
? ? ? ? "I hope I am, madam."
? ? ? ? "And pray, sir, what do you think of Miss Morland's gown?"
? ? ? ? "It is very pretty, madam," said he, gravely examining it; "but I do not think it will wash well; I am afraid it will fray."
? ? ? ? "How can you," said Catherine, laughing, "be so--" She had almost said "strange."
? ? ? ? "I am quite of your opinion, sir," replied Mrs. Allen; "and so I told Miss Morland when she bought it."
? ? ? ? "But then you know, madam, muslin always turns to some account or other; Miss Morland will get enough out of it for a handkerchief, or a cap, or a cloak.
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