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the excellence of its cookery was owing. But here he was set

right by Mrs. Bennet, who assured him, with some asperity,

that they were very well able to keep a good cook, and that

her daughters had nothing to do in the kitchen. He begged

pardon for having displeased her. In a softened tone she

declared herself not at all offended; but he continued to apol-

ogise for about a quarter of an hour.

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