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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
"Sophy, shut up in a back room, glancing down from her work into a sooty little strip of garden with a pump in it. But there I always found her, the same bright housewife; often humming her Devonshire ballads when no strange foot was coming up the stairs, and blunting the sharp boy in his official closet with melody.
I understand that there is a play of words (blunt vs. sharp) but it is not clear to me what it means. I challenge members for a translation that does not speak ill of Sophy's singing.
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,065
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,065 |
I think the idea is that she's softening the sharp boy's heart, making him keep less of an eye open for the main chance, and more susceptible to tender emotions.
Bingley
Bingley
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
Dear Bingley: I'm not sure I know all the implications of
"the main chance".
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Joined: Apr 2000
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,065 |
advance of self-interest, not necessarily in the most ethical manner.
Bingley
Bingley
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,692
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,692 |
Thank you for the quotation, Dr Bill. It took me back to David Copperfield to re-read the last few chapters just for the sake of the happy ending! All the loose ends tied up in inimitable fashion!
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