During our last GR of "Persuasion" I remember saying that I actually agree with Mary when she complains about her husband going off to enjoy himself at his parents' house when one of their children has just been injured. (What I think of Mary is another story! ;-) During this GR, I suddenly realized that not only is Charles planning to go out for the evening, but JA slyly sneaks in the fact that he has been out shooting (most of the day?) as well!

His father very much wished [Charles] to meet Captain Wentworth, and there being no sufficient reason against it, he ought to go; and it ended in his making a bold public declaration, when he came in from shooting, of his meaning to dress directly, and dine at the other house.