"Only three! And how many others have you?"
Emma assured him that was all.
"Well but three is too many," replied he gravely; "it must be very awkward and disagreeable having so many—don't you find it so?"
"I never looked upon it in that light, which is fortunate, perhaps, as I see no remedy."
"That's true—you have them and cannot help it; but that does not make it less of an evil—one would not choose three sisters."
Emma did not think it necessary to reply to this speech.
"Then your father has four daughters?" continued he, as if the result of profound calculation on his part.
"Your arithmetic is quite correct, my lord," replied she, smiling a little.
"And how many sons are there?"
"Two only."