that taken this way, Edmund's remarks don't seem too thick-headed... ;-) And I do agree that Edmund wants to think highly of everyone connected with Mary. And he does seem a bit Jane-like in thinking well of people in general (someone made this point earlier on, IRRC).

Henry is careful in his flirtations with Maria and Julia, but Fanny has noticed that something seems amiss. Another reason others aren't noticing any danger signs at this point could also be because they are all a little too preoccupied in their own concerns. Either Tom (ha ha) or Edmund should have watched over his sisters more diligently in the absence of their father, IMO. Edmund appears to look out for Fanny far more than for his sisters. He does try to talk Maria out of acting in the play later on, but other than that, I don't see any sibling-love among the Bertrams (of any generation).