"What a charming thing it is that Mrs. Dashwood can spare you both for so long a time together!"

"Long a time, indeed!" interposed Mrs. Jennings. "Why, their visit is but just begun!"

Lucy was silenced.

I've read in several places that JA created characters and caricatures to 'support' them and the action of her novels. I used to think of Mrs. Jennings as one of the caricatures, but on this read, I'm finding her more filled-out and her purpose more complex than I used to think.