I certainly see your point, Mandy, and you are well justified in it. It’s just when reading Chapter 5, where Mary is first introduced to the reader, it struck me that I could look more into how she influenced the development of the story, and Anne’s life in consequence thereof. Of course, I do not wish to go into chapters we have not yet read, therefore I shall focus on the above mentioned chapter for now.

Mary’s invitation, though a little improper as far as wording goes, was still a sign of Mary’s love for her sister. It wasn’t the regard Anne deserved, but still it was sisterly love, mixed, perhaps, with a little selfishness. Mary did realize that Anne could manage her children just as well, or, perhaps, even better, than Mary could do it herself. Musgroves’ confidence in Anne sprang from the same source, Anne’s demeanor being unvariably pleasant towards people around her. I agree with you that if Mary could only observe her elder sister and follow her example, she would have been that much easier to deal with. Still, Mary, complaining, demanding and fanciful as she was, brought Anne to Upercross, thus sparing her a very unpleasant Summer in Bath with Elizabeth, Sir Walter and Mrs. Clay into the bargain! For that I feel an obligation to thank Mary.