I have always thought this passage was so clever because it illustrates how people negotiate with themselves to avoid doing something they know is right. JA has two characters work through the steps to the inevitable outcome, but it is similar to conversations we have with ourselves. How many of us have promised ourselves that we will send the thank you card, or visit a shut-in, or give more money to charity when we get a raise? Then maybe we don't get to it soon enough and after a while we think, 'oh well, it's too late, maybe next time' instead of doing it then. John makes a promise, but follow through is hard. I'm not defending him, but Austen's ability to distill the essence of human nature is why we still read her. This is my first group read, I hope to pop in as much as I can.