JKBOSE 10th Class English Solutions chapter – 2 An Excellent Father

Mrs Bennet is a middle-aged woman. She has three daughters of marriageable age. One morning, she informs her husband that Netherfield Park, a big house in their neighbourhood, has been let out. It has been taken by a rich young man, Mr Bingley who is a bachelor. Mrs Bennet thinks that he could be a very good match for one of her daughters. So, she asks her husband to pay the young man a visit as early as possible. Mr Bennet is a jolly fellow. He pretends that he sees no reason for this visit. He asks his wife to visit Mr Bingley herself along with the girls. But then he tells her to send the girls alone. He teases her by saying that Mr Bingley might like her the best of the party.

Mrs Bennet feels vexed at her husband’s irresponsible behaviour. She stops talking of Mr Bingley. Mr Bennet sees his daughter, Lizzy, trimming her hat. He teases her by saying that Mr Bingley would like it. The girl feels vexed to the great delight of her father. Mrs Bennet is all the time in a very angry mood. In the meantime, the other daughter named Kitty starts coughing. Mr Bennet remarks, “Kitty has no discretion in her coughs. She times them ill.” Thus Mr Bennet keeps teasing his wife and daughters. Then at last, he tells his wife that he has already visited Mr Bingley. It is a big surprise for the ladies. Mrs Bennet enjoys this joke. Mr Bennet leaves the room saying, “Now, Kitty, you may cough as much as you please.” Thus Mr Bennet proves himself to be an excellent father.

श्रीमती बैनेट एक अधेड़ आयु की औरत है। उसकी तीन पुत्रियां विवाह योग्य आयु की हैं। एक प्रातः वह अपने पति को सूचित करती है कि नीदरफील्ड पार्क, जो उनके पड़ोस में एक बड़ा-सा मकान है, किराए पर चढ़ा दिया गया है। इसे मिस्टर बिंगले नाम के एक धनी व्यक्ति ने किराए पर लिया है जो अभी कुंवारा है । श्रीमती बैनेट समझती है कि वह उसकी बेटियों में से एक के लिए बहुत उपयुक्त वर साबित हो सकता है। इसलिए वह अपने पति से कहती है कि उसे जितनी जल्दी हो सके उस युवक से मिलने के लिए जाना चाहिए | मिस्टर बैनेट एक खुशमिजाज़ व्यक्ति है । वह नाटक करता है कि उसे उस आदमी से मिलने का कोई कारण दिखाई नहीं देता है। वह अपनी पत्नी से कहता है कि वह लड़कियों को साथ ले कर स्वयं उस आदमी से मिलने चली जाए । किन्तु फिर वह उससे कहता है कि वह लड़कियों को अकेले ही भेज दे। वह उसे यह कहते हुए मज़ाक करता है कि मिस्टर बिंगले शायद टोली में उसे ही सब से ज्यादा पसंद कर ले।

श्रीमती बैनेट अपने पति के गैरजिम्मेदारी वाले व्यवहार पर क्रोधित हो जाती है। वह मिस्टर बिंगले के बारे में बात करना बन्द कर देती है। मिस्टर बैनेट अपनी बेटी लिज़ी को अपना हैट कांट-छांट कर ठीक करते हुए देखता है । वह उसे यह कहते हुए सताता है कि मिस्टर बिंगले इसे पसन्द करेगा। लड़की चिढ़ जाती है और इस से पिता को बहुत खुशी महसूस होती है। श्रीमती बैनेट पूरा समय बहुत नाराजगी के भाव में होती है। इसी बीच किट्टी नाम की दूसरी बेटी खांसने लगती है। मिस्टर बैनेट ऐसा कह देता है, “किट्टी को खांसने की कोई अक्ल नहीं है। वह गलत समय पर खांसती है।” इस तरह मिस्टर बैनेट अपनी पत्नी और बेटियों को सताता रहता है। फिर अन्त में वह अपनी पत्नी को बता देता है कि वह मिस्टर बिंगले को पहले ही मिल आया है। औरतों के लिए यह एक बहुत ही हैरानी की बात होती है। श्रीमती बैनेट को यह मज़ाक अच्छा लगता है। मिस्टर बैनेट यह कहते हुए कमरे से बाहर चला जाता है, “अब, किट्टी, तुम जितना चाहो खांस सकती हो।” इस तरह मिस्टर बैनेट स्वयं को एक शानदार पिता साबित कर देता है।

‘My dear Mr Bennet,’ said Mrs Bennet one day, ‘have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last ?

Mr Bennet replied that he had not.

‘But it is,’ said she; for Mrs Long has just been here, and she told me all about it.’

Mr Bennet made no answer.

‘Do you want to know who has taken it ? cried his wife impatiently.

You want to tell me, and I have no objection to hearing it.’

This was invitation enough.

‘Why, my dear, you must know, Mrs Long says that Netherfield is taken by a young man of large fortune  from the north of England. He came on Monday to see the place, and was so much delighted with it that he agreed to take it….’

‘What is his name ?

‘Bingley.

‘Is he married or single ?

‘Oh single, my dear, to be sure ! A single man of large fortune; four or five thousand a year. What a fine thing for our girls !’ ‘How ?’

‘मेरे प्रिय मि० बैनेट, ‘ श्रीमती बैनेट ने एक दिन कहा, ‘क्या तुमने सुना है कि नीदरफील्ड पार्क आखिर किराए पर चढ़ गया है ?”

मि० बैनेट ने कहा कि उसने ऐसा नहीं सुना था। ‘किन्तु ऐसा हुआ है, ‘ वह बोली, ‘क्योंकि श्रीमती लॉन्ग अभीअभी यहां आई थी और उसने मुझे इस बारे में सब कुछ बताया।’

मि० बैनेट ने कोई जवाब न दिया ।

‘क्या तुम जानना चाहते हो कि उसे किसने किराए पर लिया है ?’ उसकी पत्नी ने ऊँची आवाज़ में अधीरतापूर्वक पूछा।

 ‘तुम मुझे बताना चाहती हो और मुझे इसे सुनने में कोई आपत्ति नहीं है।’

उसका यह कथन पत्नी के लिए मानो निमंत्रण था ।

‘हां तो मेरे प्रिय, तुम्हें अवश्य ही यह जानना चाहिए; श्रीमती लॉन्ग का कहना है कि नीदरफील्ड पार्क को इंग्लैंड के उत्तर में रहने वाले एक बहुत धनी नवयुवक ने किराए पर लिया है । वह इस मकान को देखने के लिए सोमवार के दिन आया । और वह इससे इतना प्रसन्न हुआ कि वह उसे लेने को सहमत हो गया… ‘

‘उसका नाम क्या है ?”

‘बिंगले ।’

‘क्या वह शादीशुदा है या कुंवारा है ?”

‘अरे कुंवारा, मेरे प्रिय निश्चय ही! एक बहुत धनी कुंवारा व्यक्ति; वह साल में चार या पाँच हज़ार बना लेता है। हमारी बेटियों के लिए बहुत ही बढ़िया बात !’

‘वह कैसे ?”

‘My dear Mr Bennet,’ replied his wife, ‘how can you be so tiresome ? You must know that I am thinking of him marrying one of them.’

‘Is that his design in settling here ?”

‘Design ! Nonsense, how can you talk so ! But it is very likely that he may fall in love with one of them, and, therefore, you must visit him as soon as he comes.

 ‘I see no occasion for that. You and the girls may go, or you may send them by themselves, which perhaps will be still better, for, as you are as handsome as any of them, Mr Bingley might like you the best of the party.’

‘My dear, you flatter me. I certainly have had my share of beauty; but, my dear, you must indeed go and see Mr Bingley when he comes into the neighbourhood.’

‘I daresay Mr Bingley will be very glad to see you, and I will send a few lines by you to assure him of my hearty consent to marrying whichever he chooses of the girls.’

You take delight in vexing me. You have no compassion on my poor nerves.’

You mistake me, my dear. I have a high respect for your nerves. They are my old friends.’

‘Ah ! You do not know what I suffer.’ But I hope you will get over it, and live to see many young men of four thousand a year come into the neighbourhood.”

‘It will be no use to us if twenty such den should come, since you will not visit them.’

Mr Bennet was among the earliest of those who waited on Mr Bingley. He had always intended to visit him, though to the last always assuring his wife that he should not go. Till the evening after the visit was paid she had no knowledge of it. It was then disclosed in the following manner.

Observing his second daughter employed in trimming a hat, he suddenly addressed her with :

‘I hope Mr Bingley will like it, Lizzy.’ ‘We are not ……… to know what Mr Bingley likes, ‘ said her mother, ‘since we are not to visit.’

‘But you forget, mamma,’ ‘ said Elizabeth, ‘that we shall meet him at the assemblies, and that Mrs Long has promised to introduce him.”

‘I do not believe Mrs Long will do any such thing. She has two nieces of her own. She is a selfish woman.

Mrs Bennet began scolding one of her DIENST daughters.

‘Don’t keep coughing so, Kitty, for heaven’s sake! Have a little compassion on my nerves.’

‘Kitty has no discretion in her coughs, ‘ said her father; ‘she times them ill.

‘I do not cough for my own amusement,’ said Kitty fretfully.

‘Let us return to Mr Bingley, continued Mr Bennet.

‘मेरे प्रिय मि० बैनेट, ‘ उसकी पत्नी ने उत्तर दिया, ‘तुम इतने उबाऊ कैसे हो सकते हो ? तुम्हें अवश्य जान लेना चाहिए कि मैं अपनी पुत्रियों में से एक का विवाह उससे करने के बारे में सोच रही हूँ।’

‘क्या उसकी यहां बसने की यह योजना / चालाकी है ?”

‘योजना / चालाकी ! मूर्खता वाली बात, तुम यह बात कैसे कह सकते हो ! किंतु इसकी संभावना बहुत है कि वह उनमें से एक से प्रेम करने लगे और इसी कारण से तुम्हें अवश्य ही उससे मिल लेना चाहिए जैसे ही वह यहां आए।’

‘मैं इसकी कोई वजह नहीं देखता। तुम और लड़कियां जा सकती हो, या तुम उन्हें अकेले भी भेज सकती हो, जो शायद फिर भी बेहतर रहेगा, क्योंकि तुम इतनी ही सुंदर हो जितनी कि उनमें से कोई एक, मि० बिंगले तुम सभी में से शायद तुम्हें ही सबसे ज्यादा पसंद करने लगे । ‘

‘मेरे प्रिय, तुम मेरी खुशामद कर रहे हो । निश्चय ही मुझे मेरे हिस्से की सुंदरता मिली है; किंतु मेरे प्रिय, तुम्हें वास्तव में ही जाना चाहिए और मि० बिंगले से मिलना चाहिए जब वह हमारे पड़ोस में आ जाए।’

‘मैं यह कहने का साहस कर सकता हूँ कि मि० बिंगले तुमसे मिल कर बहुत प्रसन्न होगा और मैं एक छोटा-सा पत्र भी तुम्हारे द्वारा भेजूंगा ताकि उसे विश्वास दिला सकूं कि वह लड़कियों में किसी को भी चुनेगा तो उसमें मेरी हार्दिक सहमति होगी।’

‘तुम्हें मुझे चिढ़ाने में मज़ा आता है। तुम्हें मेरी बेचारी हालत पर कोई दया नहीं आती।’

‘तुम मुझे गलत समझ रही हो, मेरी प्रिये । मुझे तुम्हारी नाड़ियों का बहुत ख्याल है। वह मेरी पुरानी मित्र है।’

‘आह ! तुम्हें नहीं पता कि मैं क्या कुछ सह रही हूँ ।’ ‘किंतु मुझे आशा है कि तुम अपनी भावनाओं पर काबू पा लोगी, और अपने जीवन में ऐसे कई नवयुवकों को अपने पड़ोस में आता देखोगी जो चार हज़ार एक साल में कमा लेते हैं।’

‘इसका हमारे लिए कोई लाभ नहीं होगा चाहे ऐसे बीस ( युवक) भी आ जाएं क्योंकि तुम उनको कभी भी जा कर नहीं मिलोगे।’

मि० बैनेट उन पहले व्यक्तियों में से था जो मि० बिंगले से मिलने गए। उसका इरादा सदा से ही उससे मिलने का था चाहे वह अंत तक अपनी पत्नी को विश्वास दिलाता रहा था कि वह नहीं मिलेगा। उस शाम तक, जब वह उससे मिल चुका था, उसकी पत्नी को इस बात की कोई भनक नहीं थी । इस बात का भेद नीचे लिखे ढंग से खुला।

अपनी दूसरी बेटी को एक हैट को ठीक-ठाक करने में व्यस्त देख कर, उसने अचानक उसे यह कहते हुए संबोधित किया :

‘मुझे आशा है कि मि० बिंगले इसे पसंद करेगा, लिज्जी ।

‘हमें यह बात …… जानने की कोई ज़रूरत नहीं है कि मि० बिंगले को क्या पसंद है, ‘ उसकी मां बोल उठी, ‘क्योंकि हम उससे मिलने नहीं जाएंगे।’

‘ लेकिन तुम भूल रही हो, माँ, ‘ एलिज़ाबेथ ने कहा, ‘कि हम उससे सभाओं में मिलेंगे और यह भी कि श्रीमती लॉन्ग ने उससे हमारा परिचय कराने का वादा किया हुआ है।’

‘मुझे विश्वास नहीं कि श्रीमती लॉन्ग वैसा कुछ करेगी। उसकी अपनी दो भतीजियां / भांजियां हैं। वह स्वार्थी औरत है । ‘

श्रीमती बैनेट अपनी बेटियों में से एक को डांटने लगी।

‘ईश्वर के लिए, किट्टी, इस तरह खांसती न रहो! मेरी हालत पर थोड़ा तरस तो खाओ ।’

‘किट्टी में खांसने की भी अक्ल नहीं है, ‘ उसका पिता बोला, ‘वह गलत समय पर खांसती है । ‘

‘मैं अपने खुद के मनोरंजन के लिए नहीं खांसती,’ किट्टी ने खीजते हुए कहा ।

‘चलो हम फिर से मि० बिंगले की बात पर आ जाएं,’ मि० बैनेट ने बोलना जारी रखा ।

I am sick of Mr Bingley,’ cried his wife.

‘I am sorry to hear that. Why did not you tell me so before ? If I had known as much this morning, I certainly  …….. But I have actually paid the visit; we cannot would not have called on him escape the acquaintance now.’

The astonishment of the ladies was just what he wished; that of Mrs Bennet surpassing the rest. ‘How good it was of you, my dear Mr Bennet !’ she said. ‘But I knew I should persuade you at last. I was sure you loved your girls too well to neglect such an acquaintance. Well, how pleased I am and it is such a good joke, too, that you should have gone this morning and never said a word about it till now.’

‘Now, Kitty, you may cough as much as you choose,’ said Mr Bennet; and as he spoke, he left the room.

‘What an excellent father you have, girls,’ said Mrs Bennet, when the door was shut.

‘मैं मि० बिंगले के नाम से ही तंग आ गई हूँ, उसकी पत्नी चिल्लाई ।

‘यह सुन कर मुझे अफसोस हुआ है। तुमने मुझे ऐसा पहले ही क्यों नहीं बता दिया? अगर मुझे सवेरे ही इस बात का पता चल गया होता तो मैं अवश्य ही उससे मिलने उसके घर नहीं जाता ……. किंतु मैं सचमुच उससे मिल भी आया हूँ; अब हम उससे परिचय बढ़ाने से बच नहीं सकते।’

औरतों द्वारा व्यक्त आश्चर्य बिल्कुल वैसा ही था जैसा मिस्टर बैनेट ने चाहा था; श्रीमती बैनेट का आश्चर्य बाकियों के आश्चर्य से बढ़ कर था । ‘यह तुम्हारी कितनी महानता थी, मेरे प्रिय मि० बैनेट !’ उसने कहा । ‘किन्तु मुझे पता था कि अंत में मैं तुम्हें राज़ी कर लूंगी। मुझे पक्का विश्वास था कि तुम्हें अपनी बेटियों से इतना प्यार था कि तुम उससे परिचय बढ़ाने में लापरवाही नहीं कर सकते थे। फिर भी कोई बात नहीं, मैं बहुत खुश हूँ और यह मज़ाक भी बहुत बढ़िया रहा कि तुम इस सुबह उससे मिल भी आए और अभी तक तुमने इसके विषय में एक शब्द भी नहीं कहा ।’

‘किट्टी, अब तुम इतना खांस सकती हो जितनी तुम्हारी मर्ज़ी हो, ‘ मि० बैनेट ने कहा, और यह कह कर वह कमरे से बाहर चला गया ।

‘लड़कियो, तुमने कितना अच्छा पिता पाया है, ‘ श्रीमती बैनेट बोली, जब दरवाज़ा बंद हो चुका था (मि० बैनेट के जाने के बाद ) |

Ans. There is a big house in the neighbourhood of Mr Bennet. It is called Netherfield Park. It was to let. Mrs Bennet comes to know that one Mr Bingley has rented it. She has also come to know that he is a rich young man and is a bachelor. She feels that he could be a good match for one of her three daughters. She tells all this to her husband. She wants him to pay the young man a visit and form an acquaintance with him.

Ans. Mr Bingley takes over Netherfield Park. He is a young man from the north of England. He is a man of large fortune and is unmarried. He earns four or five thousand a year. Mrs Bennet has three young daughters of marriageable age. She sees in Mr Bingley a good match for one of her three daughters. Naturally, she is happy that a young unmarried person of a large fortune has come to live in their neighbourhood. She hopes that he will marry one of her daughters.

Ans. Mrs Bennet has three daughters. They are all of marriageable age. Mr Bingley is a young man. He has a large fortune. He is unmarried also. Mrs Bennet sees in him a very good match for one of her daughters. So she wants that they should make an acquaintance with Mr Bingley as soon as possible. Mr Bingley could fall in love with one of her daughters and marry her. That is why she insists on her husband to meet Mr Bingley.

Ans. Mrs Bennet says these words to her husband. She wants him to go and meet Mr Bingley who has come to live in their neighbourhood. He is a rich unmarried young man. Mrs Bennet sees in him a very good match for one of her three daughters. So she asks her husband to make an acquaintance with the young man as soon as possible. But Mr Bennet teases his wife by saying that the young man would be more pleased to see her and so she should rather go and see him. At this, Mrs Bennet feels vexed and says the given lines.

Ans. Mrs Long had said that she would introduce Mrs Bennet and her daughters to Mr Bingley at the assemblies. But Mrs Bennet does not think Mrs Long would do any such thing. She says that Mrs Long is a selfish woman. She feared that Mr Bingley could fall in love with one of Mrs Bennet’s daughters and marry her. She would not like such a thing to happen as she had two nieces of her own. Naturally, she would like Mr Bingley to marry one of them instead of any other girl. That is why Mrs Bennet calls Mrs Long selfish.

Ans. Mr Bennet’s wife has learnt that one Mr Bingley has come to live in their neighbourhood. He is a rich young man and is unmarried. Mrs Bennet finds him a very suitable match for one of her daughters. So she plans to send her husband to Mr Bingley as soon as possible. But Mr Bennet pretends to have no interest in Mr Bingley. He teases his wife by saying that Mr Bingley would be more pleased to see her in place of him. He teases his daughters also with his witty remarks. Seeing Lizzy trimming her hat, he says, “I hope Mr Bingley will like it.” Mrs Bennet feels annoyed at Kitty’s coughing. Ther Mr Bennet says, “Kitty has no discretion in her coughs. She times them ill And then he says jokingly, “Let us return to Mr Bingley.” Mrs Bennet cries out, “I am sick of Mr Bingley.” Only then does Mr Bennet reveal that he has already visited Mr Bingley. It comes as a pleasant surprise for the ladies. Mrs Bennet exclaims, “What an excellent father you have, girls!”

Ans. Yes, I agree that Mr. Bennet is an excellent father. There is no doubt in it. Mr Bennet is a middle-aged person. He has three daughters of marriageable age. One morning, Mrs Bennet informs her husband that Netherfield Park has been let out. It has been taken by a young man named Mr Bingley. He is a very rich man and is a bachelor also. Mrs Bennet thinks that the young man could be a very good match for one of her daughters. So, she asks her husband to pay the young man a visit as early as possible.

Mr Bennet pretends that he sees no reason for this visit. He asks his wife to visit Mr Bingley herself along with the girls. But then he tells her to send the girls alone. He says jokingly, “Mr Bingley might like you the best of the party.” Thus Mr Bennet keeps teasing both the mother and the daughters all day long. Mrs Bennet feels vexed. But she feels surprised when Mr Bennet tells her that he has already visited Mr Bingley. Mrs Bennet is now full of joy and says, “What an excellent father you have, girls!”

Ans. Mr Bennet is a middle-aged person. He lives with his wife and three daughters near Netherfield Park. He is a very jolly person. He is full of wit and humour.

Mr Bennet takes delight in vexing his wife and daughters. He teases his wife by pretending not to be interested in Mr Bingley. He asks his wife to visit Mr Bingley herself along with the girls. Then he tells her to send the girls alone. He teases her by saying, “Mr Bingley might like you the best of the party.”

Mr Bennet does not spare even his daughters. He sees his daughter, Lizzy, trimming her hat and remarks, “I hope Mr Bingley will like it.” The girl feels vexed to the great delight of her father. Mrs Bennet feels nervous over Kitty’s coughs. Now Mr Bennet remarks, “Kitty has no discretion in her coughs. She times them ill.” Thus Mr Bennet’s witty remarks produce light-hearted mirth.

Mr Bennet is, no doubt, an excellent father. He loves his daughters and is very serious about their marriage. Though he pretends to be disinterested in Mr. Bingley, yet he is first to visit him. He keeps the ladies ignorant about his visit till the last moment. When the fact is out, everybody enjoys the joke. Now at last Mrs Bennet says, “What an excellent father you have, girls!”

Ans. Mrs Bennet is a middle-aged woman. She has three daughters of marriageable age. Like all mothers, she is worried about their future. She wants to get them married as soon as possible. She does not want to lose any chance of finding a suitable match for each of them. She comes to know that a rich young man, named Mr Bingley, has come to live in the neighbourhood. She also comes to know that he is yet a bachelor. She at once makes a plan to hook him for one of her daughters. She asks her husband to pay a visit to Mr Bingley and make an acquaintance with him as soon as possible. She hopes that Mr Bingley will fall in love with one of her daughters and marry her. Thus we see that Mrs Bennet is really a loving and caring mother.

We also see that Mrs Bennet is a simple-hearted woman. She can’t see through the tricky remarks of her husband. She really believes that Mr Bennet is not at all serious about meeting Mr Bingley. She feels too much irritated and stops talking to her husband. But when she comes to know that Mr Bennet had paid a visit to Mr Bingley, she exclaims, “What an excellent father you have, girls!”

Ans. Children are always dear to their parents. It is difficult to say if a father loves his child more than the mother does, or vice versa. The situation can be different in different cases. But one thing is generally quite obvious. Mothers are more vocal and ostentatious than fathers in their expressions of love. Fathers are calm and reserved. In their heart of hearts, they love the child as deeply as the mothers do, but they don’t make too much show of it. Their love speaks through their actions more than through their words. While a mother will simply cry and wail by the side of her ailing child, the poor father will keep running to the doctor day and night and spend on the child’s treatment with all the pain in his heart. He will never make any mention of all the trouble he takes for his child. On the other hand, the mother will do nothing but talk to one and all about her child’s being unwell. This is quite evident in the story ‘An Excellent Father’ also. Mrs Bennet shows a lot of anxiety about her daughters. In doing so, she betrays her irritable and jealous nature also. But Mr Bennet quietly does what he is supposed to do without making any ado about it. He proves himself to be an excellent father while Mrs Bennet just turns out to be a nagging individual.

Ans. The story is full of humour from the beginning to the end. Mrs Bennet wants her husband to visit Mr Bingley as she sees in him a fine match for one of her three daughters. Mr Benne asks his wife to visit Mr Bingley herself along with the girls. But then he tells her to send the girls alone. He says jokingly, “Mr Bingley might like you the best of the party.” In the evening, Mr Bennet sees his daughter, Lizzy, trimming her hat. He teases her saying, “I hope Mr Bingley, will like it.” Mrs Bennet is all the time in a very angry mood. In the meantime, Kitty starts coughing. Mrs Bennet feels nervous over it. Mr Bennet remarks, “Kitty has no discretion in her coughs. She times them ill.” Thus Mr Bennet keeps teasing his wife and daughters. At last he says, “Let us return to Mr Bingley.” But his wife cries out, “I am sick of Mr Bingley.” Only then does Mr Bennet tell his wife that he has already visited Mr Bingley. It is a big surprise for the ladies. Mr Bennet leaves the room saying, “Now, Kitty, you may cough as much as you choose.” Thus we see that each situation in the story is sweetly humorous.

Ans. Mr Bennet has three daughters of marriageable age. One morning, Mrs Bennet informs her husband that Netherfield Park has been let out. It has been taken by a young man named Mr Bingley. He is a very rich man and is a bachelor also. Mrs Bennet thinks that the young man could be a very good match for one of her daughters. So, she asks her husband to pay the young man a visit as early as possible.Mr Bennet pretends that he sees no reason for this visit. He asks his wife to visit Mr Bingley herself along with the girls. But then he tells her to send the girls alone. He says jokingly, “Mr Bingley might like you the best of the party.” Mrs Bennet feels vexed at her husband’s irresponsible behaviour. She cries out, “I am sick of Mr Bingley.” But then Mr Bennet tells his wife that he has already visited Mr Bingley. It is a big surprise for the ladies. Mrs Bennet is now all joy. She turns to her daughters and says, “What an excellent father you have, girls!”

(a) rent out

(b) unmarried

(c) make someone angry

(d) in great haste; unwilling to wait

(e) to live somewhere permanently

(f) intention or plan

Ans. (a) let (b) single (c) vex (d) impatient (e) settle (f) design.

1. A page of the book…………… torn and the pages of the book ………. torn.

2. Two and two ………… four.

3. A black and white dog ………… barking.

4. The horse and carriage ………… ready.

5. The madam as well as the students ………… in the library.

6. Either she or her brother ……….   absent.

7. Neither I nor he……….. resigned.

8. Physics …… ..said to be an interesting subject.

9. Not only she but also her sisters………. involved in his crime.

10. The team …………………. divided over who should be the captain.

Hints: 1. is, are 2. make 3. is 4. is 5. is 6. is/was 7. has 8. is 9. are 10. are.

1. Mr Bennet made no answer. (✓)

2. Cried his wife impatiently. (✓)

3. You take delight in vexing me. (✓)

4. You mistake me, my dear. (✓)

5. This was invitation enough. (✓)

6. Is he married or single? (✓)

1. A single man of large ……….. .

2. What a fine thing for our …………!

3. You must know that I am ……….. him marrying one of them.

4. Design ! …………. how can you talk so !

5. I daresay ………..  will be very glad to see you.

Hints: 1. fortune 2. daughters 3. thinking of 4. Nonsense 5. Mr Bingley.

(Page 12) ‘My dear Mr Bennet,’ said Mrs Bennet one day, ‘have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?”

Mr Bennet replied that he had not. vir ‘But it is,’ said she; ‘for Mrs Long has just been here, and she told me all about it.’

Mr Bennet made no answer.

‘Do you want to know who has taken it ?’ cried his wife impatiently.

You want to tell me, and I have no objection to hearing it.’

This was invitation enough.

‘Why, my dear, you must know, Mrs Long says that Netherfield is taken by a young man of large fortune from the north of England. He came on Monday ………… to see the place, and was so much delighted with it that he agreed to take it ………. ‘

‘What is his name?’

‘Bingley.’

     replied, enough, north, much.

1. The name of the writer is Jane Austen and the name of the chapter is ‘An Excellent Father’.

2. Mrs Bennet informed her husband that the house named Netherfield Park is let. And it is taken by a rich young man from England.

3. Mrs Bennet came to know about it from Mrs Long who has just visited her house.

4. asked, insufficient, south, little.

5. of large fortune.

(Page 12) ‘Is he married or single?’ Oh single, my dear, to be sure ! A single man of large fortune; four or five thousand a year. What a fine thing for our girls!’

 ‘How?’

My dear Mr Bennet,’ replied his wife, how can you be so tiresome ? You must know that I am thinking of him marrying one of them.’

‘Is that his design in settling here?”

‘Design! Nonsense, how can you talk so ! But it is very likely that he may fall in love with one of them, and, therefore, you must visit him as soon as he comes.’

     large, married, fortune, soon.

1. The name of writer is Jane Austen and the name of the chapter is ‘An Excellent Father’.

2. They are talking about their new upcoming young and rich neighbour Mr Bingley.

3. She was excited because she hoped that the young and rich man, Mr Bingley might fall in love with one of her daughters and get married.

4. small, unmarried, misfortune, late.

5. design

‘Is that his design in settling here?’ ‘Design! Nonsense, how can you talk like So ! But it is very likely that he might fall in love with one of them, and therefore, you must visit him as soon as he comes.’ ‘I see no occasion for that, you and the girls may go, or you may send them by themselves, which perhaps will be still better, for, as you are as handsome as any of them, Mr. Bingley might like you the best of the party’.

 (i) love (ii) handsome.

 (i) design (ii) love.

(i) The word ‘his’ in the first sentence refers to ………… .

(ii) It is nonsense to think that  ………… .

(iii) The  ………… of girls insists their ………… to visit the new tenant.

(a) (i) love → hate (ii) handsome → ugly.

(b) (i) design → pattern (ii) love → affection.

(c) (i) Mr. Bingley. (ii) Mr. Bingley has some design in settling at Netherfield Park. (iii) Mother, Father.

(Page 14) ‘I am sick of Mr Bingley,’ cried his wife.

‘I am sorry to hear that. Why did not you tell me so before ? If I had known as much this morning, I certainly would not have called on him…….. But I have actually paid the visit; we cannot escape the acquaintance now.’

The astonishment of the ladies was just what he wished; that of Mrs Bennet surpassing the most. ‘How good it was of you, my dear Mr Bennet!’ she said. ‘But I knew I should persuade you at last. I was sure you loved your girls too well to neglect such an acquaintance. Well, how pleased I am and it is such a good joke, too, that you should have gone this morning and never said a word about it till now.’

certainly

persuade

astonishment

pleased

surprise

delighted

definitely

convince

Answers :- certainly – definitely; persuade- convince; astonishment – surprise ;  pleased – delighted.

(i) Mr Bennet told his wife that he had ……… Mr Bingley in the morning.

(ii) Mr Bennet wanted ……….. his wife and his daughters.

(iii) Mrs Bennet was very ………… to hear that.

(iv) She told her daughters that they had an ………… father.

Answers : – (i) visited; (ii) to astonish; (iii) pleased; (iv) excellent.