The quotation comes from Charlotte Brontë – Jane Eyre (Chap. 27) | Genius
Quotation: “And did you ever hear that my father was an avaricious, grasping man?”
“I have understood something to that effect.”
“Well, Jane, being so, it was his resolution to keep the property together; he could not bear the idea of dividing his estate and leaving me a fair portion: all, he resolved, should go to my brother, Rowland. Yet as little could he endure that a son of his should be a poor man.
Context: Mr. R was explaining how he had been deceived into the miserable marriage.
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Hi everyone! I try to make the bold part clear. Is it fine to read it as "Yet he could endure that a son of his should be a poor man as little as that the property would be divided"?
Quotation: “And did you ever hear that my father was an avaricious, grasping man?”
“I have understood something to that effect.”
“Well, Jane, being so, it was his resolution to keep the property together; he could not bear the idea of dividing his estate and leaving me a fair portion: all, he resolved, should go to my brother, Rowland. Yet as little could he endure that a son of his should be a poor man.
Context: Mr. R was explaining how he had been deceived into the miserable marriage.
===
Hi everyone! I try to make the bold part clear. Is it fine to read it as "Yet he could endure that a son of his should be a poor man as little as that the property would be divided"?
Thank you for your explanation. Hmm... is the usage of "as little" still current now? If so, I may try to use it myself.