Posted by kathleen (elder) on July 14, 1997 at 10:59:10:
In reply to Harriet's dad posted by Elinor on July 14, 1997 at 08:22:55
] Why was it that Harriet's father concealed his identity? Was not he a gentleman after all?
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Harriet's father was a tradesman -- able to afford an education for Harriet, but not a gentleman. He concealed his identity because Harriet was illegitimate. Jane Austen doesn't tell us anything about Harriet's mother, I believe.