I'm so glad to find this meaty discussion of the book's amazing chapter 2! You all have made some wonderful points and interesting observations. This chapter has long been a favorite of mine... I stand in awe of the methodical way that Fanny dissembles her husband's "generous" impulse. As Ivonne says, "incrementally easing him into comfort..." Step by carefully calculated step she artfully allows John to come to his own conclusions, without overtly directing him to hold onto their money with a miserly grip. I suspect this behavior is a long-established routine between them. She wants to appear feminine, to allow John to "think" he is making the decisions, when, really, it is Fanny who calls the shots. They've done this before.