2 - My social life.
After the dance in Meryton, Lady Lucas, her two daughters and one of her young sons paid a visit to Longbourn.
They don't keep quiet. I don't understand how they can repeat the same thing over and over again. Mama's looking at me. I'd better say something or she'll scold me for not taking part in the conversation.
"Pride is a very common defect..."
I almost lost track of what I was saying myself, what a load of nonsense, but it seems we've changed the subject, thank goodness. For God's sake, Mama, how can you argue with a 12-year-old about a bottle of wine?
ooOoo
A few days later, at Lucas Lodge...
"So your studies have kept you very busy, Mr. Lucas." said Jane politely.
"Well, yes, Miss Bennet, I hope to become an attorney, like your Uncle Philips."
Mary was sat with Lydia and Kitty, and she was not convinced by the expression she was putting on. Lydia had mocked her for calling all of them "Mr. Lucas," but it was much more comfortable for her to pass for pedantic than to be wrong again.
Elizabeth was playing the piano, Mary realized that her sister was doing better than she was, despite how much she practiced, but while she was sitting at the piano her mother ignored her and focused on one of her sisters, so she made the most of her time. Of course she would have made better progress with a good teacher, but no one ever bothered to hire one.
Mr. H. Lucas (not sure if it was Henry or Harry) came to her.
"If you wish I can tell you the last case we studied, about the distribution of an inheritance between the children of the first and second marriage of the Earl of..."
It's Harry, no doubt, Henry's not that annoying. I can't get out of it, he'll be talking for at least half an hour straight. Wait a minute... Elizabeth just finished playing a piece. Mary rushed to the piano.
Her success was only partial, she was well aware that her performance was not very good, but Harry was still on the prowl and did not dare to stop playing. Soon her sisters asked her for dance music, and she knew that with the noise any attempt at conversation would be futile.
ooOoo
Catherine and Lydia came back from Meryton very excited.
"A regiment is to be quartered in Meryton, and the officers will hold dinners and dances. Aunt Philips has promised to introduce them to us," said Lydia to her mother.
Phew, how nice, a lot of strangers all dressed alike. Just what I needed. Mary thought, while she was practicing her scales.
Soon she changed her mind, though, because she was told that the officers wear rank insignia on their uniforms and could be called lieutenant, captain, commander, or colonel as appropriate. There was no need to remember their surname. It was wonderful.
Not that it would be too interesting to talk to them anyway, but I wouldn't look like a fool.
ooOoo
Like Elizabeth said, Jane's got a cold because of Mama's plan. Why doesn't anyone ever listen to Elizabeth? She's the only one who has any sense in this madhouse. Well, actually Jane is sensible too, but she doesn't dare say anything for fear of upsetting someone.
Is dad really going to let Elizabeth walk three miles in this mud? Mary couldn't help making an observation, and tried to be as pedantic as possible, because that used to get her father's attention, but it was no use.
Well, at least I tried.
ooOoo
After spending several days at Netherfield, Jane and Elizabeth were finally back. Mary was glad to see them, because she had become more bored than usual, and in an attempt to avoid having her sisters continually talking to her about officers, she had become engrossed in reading one of the most complicated books she could find in the library. She would have liked her sisters to give her their opinion, but as soon as she started talking to them they stopped listening, with a mocking smile in Elizabeth's case, and with more kindness but the same lack of interest in Jane's case.