People
What did she say?-Just what she ought, of course. A lady always does.-She said enough to show there need not be despair-and to invite him to say more himself.
— Jane Austen · Emma
Behind the line May contain spoilers.
Our reading
An editorial interpretation.
The reply says the woman has offered enough hope to keep the exchange going. She leaves space for the man to say more instead of saying everything herself. Careful speech is praised as a way to show interest while still holding something back.
Context reviewed