And then we were so merry all the way home! we talked and laughed so loud, that anybody might have heard us ten miles off!" To this Mary very gravely replied, "Far be it from me, my dear sister, to depreciate such pleasures! They would doubtless be congenial with the generality of female minds.

But I confess they would have no charms for _me_--I should infinitely prefer a book." But of this answer Lydia heard not a word.

She seldom listened to anybody for more than half a minute, and never attended to Mary at all.
In the afternoon Lydia was urgent with the rest of the girls to walk to Meryton, and to see how everybody went on; but Elizabeth steadily opposed the scheme.

It should not be said that the Miss Bennets could not be at home half a day before they were in pursuit of the officers.
There was another reason too for her opposition.

She dreaded seeing Mr.
Wickham again, and was resolved to avoid it as long as possible.