You're right, Myretta. Of course, Mrs. Bennet's reputation is so fixed as the silliest mother who ever made herself and her daughters ridiculous, that it's easy to forget what she did accomplish. ;-)

Mrs. Bennet popped into my mind as I was reading about women educating their children in Chapter 3. In fact, this particular exchange between Lizzy and Lady C played out as I read:

"No governess! How was that possible? Five daughters brought up at home without a governess! I never heard of such a thing. Your mother must have been quite a slave to your education."

Elizabeth could hardly help smiling, as she assured her that had not been the case.