] His complaining is really too much, since he is far better off than his step-mother and half-sisters and has not helped them in any way. His reasoning here is similar to his and Fanny's earlier in the novel.

Isn't he awful in that chapter? He goes on and on and on about how he needs money while in the same breath speaking of luxuries and purchases unimaginable to Elinor. This line makes me laugh and grit my teeth simultaneously - not easy to do!

"Having now said enough to make his poverty clear, and to do away the necessity of buying a pair of ear-rings for each of his sisters..."

LOLGRRRR!

And then he goes on to make such rude remarks about how Marianne has lost her looks and will be lucky to get a man of even the meanest financial worth to marry her. UGH!