Mrs.Palmer's eye was now caught by the drawings which hung round the room.

She got up to examine them.
"Oh! dear, how beautiful these are! Well! how delightful! Do but look, mama, how sweet! I declare they are quite charming; I could look at them for ever." And then sitting down again, she very soon forgot that there were any such things in the room.
When Lady Middleton rose to go away, Mr.Palmer rose also, laid down the newspaper, stretched himself and looked at them all around.
"My love, have you been asleep ?" said his wife, laughing.
He made her no answer; and only observed, after again examining the room, that it was very low pitched, and that the ceiling was crooked.
He then made his bow, and departed with the rest.
Sir John had been very urgent with them all to spend the next day at the park.

Mrs.Dashwood, who did not chuse to dine with them oftener than they dined at the cottage, absolutely refused on her own account; her daughters might do as they pleased.

But they had no curiosity to see how Mr.and Mrs.Palmer ate their dinner, and no expectation of pleasure from them in any other way.

They attempted, therefore, likewise, to excuse themselves; the weather was uncertain, and not likely to be good.