[8:40] In-Depth English Listening – Sense and Sensibility: Natural Expressions in Real Contexts

Learning English requires more than just mastering grammar and vocabulary — it's even more important to use the language naturally in real-life situations. However, textbook sentences are often too formal and quite different from real-life expressions. To speak natural and fluent English, one must be exposed to dialogues in authentic contexts. Here, we’ve selected high-frequency daily English expressions covering social, work, and travel scenarios to help you move beyond 'textbook English' and learn the way native speakers actually talk. Below is the content from this episode: Episode 17 of Season 2: Sense and Sensibility. Keep accumulating — let your English get closer to real life!

Mrs. John Dashwood now installed herself mistress of Noland, and her mother and sisters-in-law were degraded to the condition of visitors. As such, however, they were treated by her with quiet civility, and by her husband, with as much kindness as he could feel toward anybody beyond himself, his wife, and their child. He really pressed them to consider Noland as their home. No plan appeared so eligible to Mrs. Dashwood as remaining there till she could accommodate herself with a house in the neighbourhood.

Mrs. John Dashwood did not approve of what her husband intended to do for his sisters. To take £3,000 from the fortune of their dear little boy would be impoverishing him to the most dreadful degree. She begged him to think again on the subject. How could he answer to himself for robbing his child — and his only child — of such a large sum? And what possible claim could the Mrs. Dashwoods, who were related to him only by half-blood (which he considered no relationship at all), have on his generosity to such a large amount?

It was well known that no affection was ever supposed to exist between the children of any man by different marriages. Why should he ruin himself and their poor little Harry by giving away all his money to his half-sisters? “It was my father's last request to me,” replied her husband, “that I should assist his widow and daughters.” “He did not know what he was talking about, I dare say — ten to one — he was lightheaded at the time.” “Had he been in his right mind, he couldn’t have thought of asking you to give away half your fortune from our own child.”

“He did not stipulate any sum, my dear Fanny, he only requested me in general terms to assist them and make their situation more comfortable than he was able to do. Since he required the promise, I could do no less than give it — or at least, I could do so at the time. But something must be done for them whenever they leave Noland and settle into a new home.” “Well then, let something be done for them, but that something need not be £3,000. Once the money is gone, it can never return. Your sisters will marry, and it will be gone forever.”

“If indeed it could ever be restored to our poor little boy. Why, to be sure,” said her husband very gravely, “that would make a great difference. The time may yet come when Harry will regret that such a large sum was parted with. If he ends up having a large family, it would be a very convenient addition. Perhaps then it would be better for all parties if the sum were reduced by half. £500 would be a pretty decent increase to their fortunes.”

“Oh, beyond anything great! What brother on earth would do half as much for his sisters — even if they were his full sisters — and they are only half-blood. But you have such a generous spirit.” “Oh, I would not wish to do anything mean. No one can say I haven’t done enough for them — not even themselves.” “There’s no telling what they might expect,” said the lady, “but we are not to think of their expectations. The question is: what can you afford to do?” “Certainly. And I think I can afford to give them £500 apiece.”

“As it is, without any addition from me, they will each have more than £3,000 after their mother’s death — a very comfortable fortune for any young woman.” “To be sure it is. Indeed, it seems to me that they need nothing additional at all. They can manage comfortably together on the interest of £10,000.” “That’s very true. Therefore, I wonder whether it would not be more advisable to do something for their mother while she lives, rather than for them — something like an annuity. My sisters would benefit from it just as much. A hundred a year would make them all perfectly comfortable.”

His wife hesitated a little in agreeing to this plan. “To be sure,” she said, “it is better than parting with £1,500 at once, but if Mrs. Dashwood lives fifteen years, we’ll be completely taken in.” “Fifteen years! But be steady — her life can’t be worth half that purchase.” “Certainly not. But you see, people always seem to live forever when there is an annuity to be paid.” “She is strong and healthy and hardly forty, and an annuity is a very serious business. It comes over and over every year, and there’s no getting rid of it.”

“I’m sure I would not bind myself to the payment of an annuity for anything in the world.” “It is certainly an unpleasant thing,” replied Mr. Dashwood, “to have those kinds of yearly drains on one’s income. As your mother says, one’s fortune is not one’s own.” “Undoubtedly. And after all, you get no thanks for it. If I were you, whatever I did should be done entirely at your own discretion. I would not bind myself to allow them anything yearly. Some years it may be very inconvenient to spare even £100 or £50 from our own expenses.”

“I believe you’re right, my love. It would be better not to promise any annuity. Whatever I give them now and then will be of far more help than a regular allowance — because they would just raise their standard of living if they expected a larger income. An occasional gift of £50 will prevent them from being in distress for money and, I think, will fulfill my promise to my father.”

“To be sure it will. Indeed, to tell the truth, I’m convinced your father never meant for you to give them any money. The help he had in mind was likely no more than what one could reasonably expect — just finding them a comfortable small house, helping them move their things, and sending the occasional gift of a game bird or something when in season.”

“Just consider, my dear Mr. Dashwood, how very comfortably your mother-in-law and her daughters could live on the interest of £7,000. Besides, £1,000 belongs to each of the girls, bringing them £50 apiece annually, and of course, they’ll pay their mother for their board out of that. They will have £500 a year between them, and what more could four women possibly want? They will live so cheaply — no carriage, no horses, hardly any servants. They’ll keep no company and have no expenses of any kind. £500 a year — I truly can’t imagine how they’ll even spend half of it. And for you to give them more — it’s completely absurd. They’ll be more able to give something to you.”

“Upon my word,” said Mr. Dashwood, “I believe you are perfectly right. My father certainly could not have meant anything more by his request than what you suggest. When my mother moves to a new house, I’ll certainly help her as much as I can. A small present of furniture, too, may be welcome then.”

“Certainly, Mr. Dashwood. But one thing to consider: when your father and stepmother moved to Noland, all the china, plate, and linen were saved and are now left to your stepmother. So, her house will be nearly completely furnished the moment she takes it.” “That’s an important consideration — a valuable legacy, indeed. Though, some of that plate would’ve been a lovely addition to our own collection.” “Yes, and the breakfast china is twice as nice as what we have here — far too elegant, in my opinion, for the kind of house they’ll be able to afford. But in any case, there it is.”

“And I must say this: your father thought only of them. You owe no special gratitude to them, nor need you pay heed to his wishes. For we both know that if he could have, he would have left nearly everything to them.” This argument was irresistible. Mr. Dashwood finally resolved that it would be absolutely unnecessary, if not inappropriate, to do more for his father's widow and children than the small acts of civility his own wife suggested.

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