We must be merciful

“Poor Mrs Stent! It has been her lot to be always in the way; but we must be merciful, for perhaps in time we may come to be Mrs Stents ourselves, unequal to anything & unwelcome to everybody.”

letter to Cassandra
April 21, 1805 [44]

Cassandra was staying with the Lloyds at Ibthrop, and Mrs. Stent was an old friend who lived with them. Evidently she was up in years and had little to live on.