 be your neighbour, Sir Thomas, as you have perhaps heard me
telling Miss Price. May I hope for your acquiescence and for your not
influencing your son against such a tenant?«
    Sir Thomas, politely bowing, replied - »It is the only way, sir, in which I
could not wish you established as a permanent neighbour; but I hope, and
believe, that Edmund will occupy his own house at Thornton Lacey. Edmund, am I
saying too much?«
    Edmund, on this appeal, had first to hear what was going on, but on
understanding the question, was at no loss for an answer.
    »Certainly, sir, I have no idea but of residence. But, Crawford, though I
refuse you as a tenant, come to me as a friend. Consider the house as half your
own every winter, and we will add to the stables on your own improved plan, and
with all the improvements of your improved plan that may occur to you this
spring.«
    »We shall be the losers,« continued Sir Thomas. »His going, though only
eight miles, will be an unwelcome contraction of our family circle; but I should
have been deeply mortified, if any son of mine could reconcile himself to doing
less. It is perfectly natural that you should not have thought much on the
subject, Mr. Crawford. But a parish has wants and claims which can be known only
by a clergyman constantly resident, and which no proxy can be capable of
satisfying to the same extent. Edmund might, in the common phrase, do the duty
of Thornton, that is, he might read prayers and preach, without giving up
Mansfield Park; he might ride over, every Sunday, to a house nominally
inhabited, and go through divine service; he might be the clergyman of Thornton
Lacey every seventh day, for three or four hours, if that would content him. But
it will not. He knows that human nature needs more lessons than a weekly sermon
can convey, and that if he does not live among his parishioners and prove
himself by constant attention their well-wisher and friend, he does very little
either for their good or his own.«
    Mr. Crawford bowed his acquiescence.
    »I repeat again,« added Sir Thomas, »that Thornton Lacey is the only house
in the neighbourhood in which I should not be happy to wait on Mr. Crawford as
occupier.«
    Mr. Crawford bowed his thanks.
    »Sir Thomas,« said Edmund, »undoubtedly understands the duty of a parish
priest. - We must
