If You Have Nothing Nice to Say

by mishadoll48

What if Mr. Bennet was not entirely negligent of his fatherly duties? What if he believed in the saying, "If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all" and applied it in his own family?

3. Chapter 3

Dinner Time at Longbourn with the Phillips

"And you know he has been quite taken with Jane at every gathering," Mrs. Bennet told her sister. "Always talking with her and dancing with her every time there is dancing to be had."

"Well, that is no surprise, with as beautiful as Jane is," Mrs. Phillips told her.

"Then, Mr. Darcy was talking with Elizabeth at the Lucas' and I was ever so surprised. Elizabeth is nowhere near as pretty as Jane and Mr. Darcy has already shown himself high in the instep."

Mr. Bennet cleared his throat and spoke with a tone of warning, "Mrs. Bennet."

"Oh dear, I am so sorry Lizzy. You are very pretty you know. You have the most beautiful green eyes. I just forget myself sometimes."

"It is okay Mama. Thank you for the apology and the compliment."

"And Mr. Darcy?" Mr. Bennet prodded.

"Well, I suppose Mr. Darcy showed some sense in talking with our Lizzie. So, he probably isn't as arrogant as I have said. But he was rather rude to her, even if we aren't supposed to say so."

Mr. Bennet sighed. "That will do."