我也不理解

用第三人称表示上述语句不是直接引用原话，而只是归纳大意。Emma里也用到同样的技巧。
我读的是《The Annotated Emma》，其中有一条注释写道“This is a summary of what Mr. Woodhouse said rather than direct speech, since it is not in first person. Jane Austen uses this technique occasionally.”

理科生仍然觉得迷糊😭大概是因为没有上下文的缘故？

Emma第3卷，第6章。下面的He是Emma的父亲Mr. Woodhouse。简奥斯汀为了简化他的话（比较唠叨），采用了第三人称。
He was invited on good faith. No lurking horrors were to upbraid him for his easy credulity. He did consent. He had not been at Donwell for two years. “Some very fine morning, he, and Emma, and Harriet, could go very well; and he could sit still with Mrs. Weston, while the dear girls walked about the gardens. He did not suppose they could be damp now, in the middle of the day. He should like to see the old house again exceedingly, and should be very happy to meet Mr. and Mrs. Elton, and any other of his neighbours.—He could not see any objection at all to his, and Emma’s, and Harriet’s, going there some very fine morning. He thought it very well done of Mr. Knightley to invite them—very kind and sensible—much cleverer than dining out.—He was not fond of dining out.”