Mr. John Dashwood told his mother again and again how exceedingly sorry he was that she had taken a house at such a distance from Norland as to prevent his being of any service to her in removing her furniture. He really felt conscientiously vexed on the occasion； for the very exertion to which he had limited the performance of his promise to his father was by this arrangement rendered impracticable.—The furniture was all sent around by water. It chiefly consisted of household linen， plate， china， and books， with a handsome pianoforté of Marianne’s. Mrs. John Dashwood saw the packages depart with a sigh： she could not help feeling it hard that as Mrs. Dashwood’s income would be so trifling in comparison with their own， she should have any handsome article of furniture.
Mrs. Dashwood took the house for a twelvemonth； it was ready furnished， and she might have immediate possession. No difficulty arose on either side in the agreement； and she waited only for the disposal of her effects at Norland， and to determine her future household， before she set off for the west； and this， as she was exceedingly rapid in the performance of every thing that interested her， was soon done.—The horses which were left her by her husband had been sold soon after his death， and an opportunity now offering of disposing of her carriage， she agreed to sell that likewise at the earnest advice of her eldest daughter. For the comfort of her children， had she consulted only her own wishes， she would have kept it； but the discretion of Elinor prevailed. Her wisdom too limited the number of their servants to three； two maids and a man， with whom they were speedily provided from amongst those who had formed their establishment at Norland.