The Affair of the Christian Name

by x-forbiddenrose-x

Have you ever noticed that the characters in Jane Austen's novels are very rarely referred to by their first name [a.k.a Christian name]? Well, here is a funny little bit about a time when someone should refer to another using their Christian name [gasp]

The bell-like ring of a girl's laughter filled the entire sitting room, piercing the silence. Mrs. Kingsley, an aging matron who was presently embroidering in another corner of the room, looked like her feathers had been ruffled a bit, but she was not completely scandalized. After all, Miss Johnson was but sixteen and entitled to be jovial.

Miss Johnson's male companion asked, "So you find that funny, Shirley?" Mrs. Kingsley let out a gasp that echoed almost as much as Miss Johnson's laughter had.

"What is the matter?" Miss Johnson asked, her eyes bursting with confusion.

"Why, my dear," Mrs. Kingsley cried, "hasn't your mother taught you anything about etiquette? That young man just called you by your Christian name! No one but family and the closest of friends have a right to do that." Mrs. Kingsley shook her embroidery at Miss Johnson's companion. "That better be a proposal of marriage!"

Miss Johnson's companion gave Mrs. Kingsley the oddest of looks before stating, "But Shirley is my sister!"

"Oh." Mrs. Kingsley's face became a ripe tomato. "Oh well, carry on."

A/N: Please R&R

For anyone who is following The Lonely Bennet, the next update is coming soon!