Agree
Written by BarbaraB
(1/29/2011 7:12 p.m.)
in consequence of the missive, rank and falling, penned by Bridget D
I pretty much agree with this. Generally it took several generations for the move up to be complete. And I have read that one could also sink out of the gentry. As Reeba said the Bates are now considered poor but they are sinking as the fact that they are of the second set would indicate.