Page 152 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

Lydia stared at her. “How I behave?”

“You are very familiar with gentlemen you scarcely know.”

“I know Mr. Denny.”

“You have met him several times, yes, but what do you know of him? Of his family? Of his character?”

“What care I for his family? As for his character, he is very amiable. Jane, I wish to know whether he will be at the next assembly.”

“You know nothing of consequence about him.”

Lydia laughed. “Jane, you are becoming as dull as Mary.”

Kitty giggled.

Jane colored. “You should not encourage such familiarity, particularly in the street where everyone may see you.”

“I was only talking to him.”

“You had your hand upon his arm,” Elizabeth said.

Lydia looked at her. “What of it?”

“You are but fifteen years old.”

“I know how old I am.”

“Then you are old enough to understand that you cannot behave with every officer in Meryton as though he were an old family friend or a suitor.”

Lydia stopped smiling.

“You are not my mother, Lizzy. You have nothing to say to me.”

“I am your sister. Your elder sister, who knows a little better than you how one ought to behave.”

“You need not act like another mother, Lizzy. One is quite enough.”

Kitty laughed.

Elizabeth ignored her. “People notice such behavior, Lydia.”

“I do not care what people notice.”

“You may care when they begin talking about you.”

“Oh, you are no fun at all. You would rather have us buried in books all summer.”

“I would rather you remembered that every gentleman who smiles at you is not necessarily a gentleman.”

Lydia tossed her head. “Come, Kitty. We shall walk ahead. Lizzy has decided to preach me a sermon.”

Kitty hurried after her.

Jane watched them go.

“Perhaps you were a little severe.”

“Perhaps she requires someone to be.”