Wretched Beginnings Chapter 9 – early December 1812
Monday at Hunsford Parsonage
Barlow tapped on the door to Mary's room the next morning. "It's Barlow, Mrs. Collins. I have hot water for you."
Mary unlocked her bedroom door. "Has Mr. Collins departed?"
"He left an hour ago for Rosings, with a travel valise and his reading satchel. Mr. Manning observed Lady Catherine's carriage pass a short time later. Mr. Collins left a letter for you." Barlow offered a missive from her pocket.
Hunsford Parsonage
December 1
Mrs. Collins,
I am leaving to attend Lady Catherine at the assizes. I am aware of my duties as the vicar of Hunsford Rectory. I will attend my duty, my profession and my patroness. Will you attend your duties as my wife and provide an excellent example of Christianly duties and service to God?
You will not depart today for Longbourn. The post coach needs the inside seat for a wounded colonel who carries orders to Colonel Forester in Meryton. Mr. Talfort, the innkeeper, will contact Mr. Manning if there are two inside seats open on tomorrow's post coach. He will arrange for transport to the inn for you and Barlow. Keep your trunks at the ready.
I will be at the de Bourgh House, Berkley Square, London. Lady Catherine estimates we will be there ten days, mayhap longer, depending on the assizes. I will send an express to Longbourn regarding my return travel plans.
I send you the bountiful and beneficent blessings from Our Lord and from my esteemed patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
Mr. Collins
Mary carefully set the refolded letter on the small writing desk in her room. "I will dress for spending the day here. I am not traveling to Longbourn today. Mayhap we will travel there tomorrow. Please take time today to pack your trunk. If you don't have one, borrow one of mine. While we are busy organizing the house, I don't need fashionable hair. Please arrange my hair in a plaited bun so I can work. Please light the fire in my sitting room and take coffee and a breakfast tray there for me."
Mary prepared for her day; she had tasks to do. She sent Mr. Manning to call on Curate Stevenson and Sexton Tucker to explain she remained at the parsonage. If anyone appeared at the parsonage, needing help, Mr. Manning would direct them to Curate Stevenson. Mary explained her plans and the menus for the remainder of the week to Mrs. Manning. On days she remained at the Hunsford Parsonage, she requested hot coffee and plum cake for breakfasts; cold collations for lunch; soups and hot rolls for dinner. "Who arranged the parsonage?" Mary asked Mrs. Manning.
"The parsonage was empty when Mr. Collins was hired. Lady Catherine was most attentive when Mr. Collins arrived. She suggested he fit up closets with shelves. She sent furniture from Rosings and directed its placement. She arranged credit at the shopkeepers in Hunsford and Westerham, so I could purchase soaps, candles, food, wines, coal, etc." Mrs. Manning explained.
"I apologize Mrs. Manning; but we will walk the length and breadth of the parsonage; I must take its measure. The way the green room had been fitted up questions the comfortable arrangements of the rest of the parsonage." Mary pointed to six chairs in her proposed sitting room. She shoved three of them together with three chairs inverted on them to provide some empty space in the room. Mary gathered a blank day book and a pencil. She planned to inspect every room of the parsonage. While Mr. Collins was gone, and before she departed for Longbourn; she could make any changes she liked in their home. She would not ask Lady Catherine's opinion on how a chair should face the door. She also intended to remove excessive furniture from the parsonage. 'Rosings may be overstuffed and over-crowded, but I do not choose to live that way.'
"Whose room is this?" Mary eyed an attic room. She listed each room separately in her book, with size of the room, furniture available, the way the room faced…and ideas. Lots of ideas.
"Barlow's room, Mrs. Collins," Mrs. Manning replied.
"She sleeps on a pallet on the floor? Where is her bed?" Mary looked around the room. "Does she put clothes on that shelf and hang dresses underneath?"
"We all do, Mrs. Collins." Mrs. Manning explained.
"This will not do! I want to see Rose's room and the room you share with Mr. Manning." Mary wrote notes to herself. "What is this room?" Mary questioned the largest empty room in the attic.
"Staff common room." Mrs. Manning quickly explained.
"How does a common room function with no furniture?" Mary noticed the barren room.
"We mostly sit around the kitchen table in the fall and winter, ma'am. There is light from the fire to sew, read or write, and we are warmer. The two empty attic rooms are for additional or visiting staff. There are two small storage areas where we store apples through the winter."
"I will be in my sitting room, planning the rearrangement of the parsonage. Then I will dress and walk to Rosings." Mary reviewed the pages as she walked down the stairs.
"Rearranging?" Mrs. Manning could not help but worry.
"The layout of the parsonage does not suit. There will be changes. I need a carpenter. I estimate there are three days of repair work to be done. Please arrange for him to meet with me at three. Roll up your pallets and tie them tightly with twine. You are all getting real beds." Mary consulted her lists.
~X~
"They what?" Miss Anne shouted as loudly as possible, considering she was swathed in blankets, shawls, etc. She listened as Mrs. Collins reaffirmed the conditions at the parsonage. "This will not do!"
"I know! I am so furious. If Mr. Collins appeared right now…I'd banish him to the stables until I am no longer angry with him. My staff don't even have a bedside table to hold a candlestick. Suppose they put a lit candlestick on the floor? What would happen if they had a bad dream or were seized in some way? They could knock over a burning candle and set the parsonage on fire!" Mary fretted. "I'm sorry to carry on so. I'm here to give you a music lesson."
"Don't be so green!" Miss Anne scoffed. She ordered the footman to summon Mrs. Havens, the housekeeper for Rosings Park.
"Mrs. Havens, please take Mrs. Collins to the Dower House. Mrs. Jenkinson is busy with the maids in my room. We cannot move things out of Rosings attics and store rooms because staff will see. The Dower House has not been used in two decades. The main entrance faces away from Rosings. There is a grove of trees between the Dower House and Rosings. Arrange for a few strong men and a wagon or two." Anne addressed the housekeeper. "They will work for Mrs. Collins the next few days, moving or replacing furniture."
"What will Lady Catherine say?" Mary asked. "I'm supposed to go to Longbourn until she and Mr. Collins return from London."
"Why?" Anne could not conceal her surprise.
"Because Lady Catherine arranged it. My seat on the post coach was needed by a wounded colonel, so I could not travel alone today. I might be able to travel tomorrow, but again, my departure depends on travel arrangements. Mr. Talfort, the innkeeper, will let Mr. Manning know when Barlow and I may depart." Mary explained.
"She intended you travel alone by post coach, today?" Miss Anne shared a look of dismay with Mrs. Havens.
"Indeed," Mary admitted. "Lady Catherine ordered Mr. Collins to order my return to Longbourn until they return from London."
Anne's eyes narrowed, but she remained quiet for moment. "I would rather donate furnishings we do not use to the parsonage, rather than have it burn down. Mother furnished the parsonage when Mr. Collins arrived. I'm not sure what she did to your sleeping room. However, Mrs. Havens, this situation is not to be discussed with any household staff, Mrs. Jenkinson or Mother. You will give strict orders to the men not to discuss what happens at the parsonage, neither today nor in the future. Mrs. Collins, you must leave detailed information for Mrs. Manning if you depart tomorrow."
"Since I didn't go home to Longbourn today; should I give you lessons?" Mary needed to work on the parsonage, but she owed Miss Anne thanks for arranging for furniture and men to help.
"I find I am indisposed and not available to attend lessons for at least a fortnight," Anne's eyes twinkled. "Don't take the furniture from the first floor of the Dower House. Take furniture and furnishings from the second and third floors and be sure to check the attics. Anything at the parsonage which you do not use may be put in the Dower House attics."
Mary thanked Miss Anne for her help.
"Beware," Anne whispered to Mary. "Mother has a bad habit of chatting up the servants to discover information. She scares them so much they would tell her anything. I will arrange for Mr. Knowles, the steward, to use men who are not house servants."
~X~
Anne sent an express to her Uncle Reginald Fitzwilliam, Sixth Earl of Matlock, warning him about Mother and Mr. Collins traveling to London. She did not understand why Mother insisted she and Mr. Collins attend the assizes in London. Lady Catherine did not attend the assizes in Kent. She explained about Mother ordering Mr. Collins to send Mrs. Collins home to her parents…alone…and on a post coach. Anne explained she would help Mrs. Collins clear and set the parsonage in their absence. She requested Uncle Reggie keep an eye on Mother and Mr. Collins, but not reveal Mrs. Collins' plans. Perhaps if Uncle Reggie announced Mother's presence in London, she would be too busy to return home. Little Season might offer plenty of diversion.
~X~
The Rosings Park Dower House surprised Mary. She felt the drawing room at Rosings seemed crowded, and too fussy and ornate. Miss Anne's Grandmother de Bourgh decorated the Dower House. While the wallpaper was dated, this house seemed simpler. Mary sighed as Mrs. Havens led her to the second and third floors of the Dower House at Rosings. The rooms were filled with furniture covered in Holland cloths. No wonder Miss Anne suggested she find items from here for the parsonage. In attic rooms, Mary found heavy dark green velvet drapes which would fit the windows of the green sleeping room. She noted a dark green rug, woven with pale cream and rich gold borders. Perhaps the rug was large enough to fit her proposed quarters.
~X~
Mr. and Mrs. Manning came running as Mrs. Collins, riding in one of two wagons from Rosings, returned almost two hours later. "Did you roll up the pallets?"
"Yes, ma'am," Mrs. Manning observed the wagons.
"Gentlemen, you may unload. Then you will move furniture where Mrs. Manning or I direct. Those carpets first," Mary directed the men. "They go to the attic. The largest to the staff common room. Second largest to Mr. and Mrs. Manning's room, and the others for the four single rooms."
"Where did you obtain furniture, Mrs. Collins?" Mrs. Manning recognized the men. They worked the grounds, gardens and orchards at Rosings. They probably had little to do at this time of year, except giving the hedges one last trim, planting bulbs, or working in the orangery.
"I explained our situation to Miss Anne. She donated unused furniture and furnishings. There are cold drafts swirling around on the floors. I cannot have any of you fall ill. I can't have you accidentally tip over candlesticks and set the parsonage on fire. My parents certainly don't have as much as Lady Catherine, but none of their servants ever slept on pallets on the floor. I am embarrassed to see how you have been living." Mary fumed.
"We lived out when the last vicar and his lady were in residence. We came here, dawn to dusk. If the weather proved inclement and we stayed over. There were box beds for us in the lower level. Mr. Collins, as a single man, had no idea of our needs." Mrs. Manning observed the energetic men.
"You should be cared for properly. You should not have spent six days in those conditions let alone six months! A good night's sleep in a real bed will improve your disposition entirely. Once the rugs are in place, place the beds, followed by wash stands, armoires, bedtables and chairs." Mary directed. "Although you and Mr. Manning will need to share a wash stand, I have one armoire for each of you. Give Barlow one of the larger beds, as her pallet will not fit a smaller bed."
Mrs. Manning nodded as Mr. Manning directed the removal of rugs and furniture from the wagons. Furniture for each room was separated before arranging in the parsonage.
"You need mirrors in every room of the attic to reflect light. Everyone uses candlesticks at night. I don't want anyone stumbling around new furniture and new arrangements. Mr. Manning; prepare a supply of wood and kindling in the firebox next to the fireplace in the staff common room. I want the common room fire laid and lit by dusk every evening to take the chill off the air in the attic. I brought an extra set of fireplace tools and screens for the common room fireplace. There is one mirror and one picture for each room along with necessary items for wash stands in each room."
"I will assemble the needs for the common room fireplace before we are done for the day," Mr. Manning agreed.
Mary consulted her notes. "Furnish the staff common room with the table and chairs in the green room on the second floor. Move the escritoire from the drawing room to the staff common room. Relocate the settee in my sitting room to the staff common room. Shift the single bed in the green room to one of the single bedrooms on the third floor. Once the furniture is moved to the third floor, and set in place, we can start on the second floor."
"We're prepared to serve midday meal to the workers," Mrs. Manning informed Mary. "Mrs. Havens sent two cauldrons of hot soup, cold ham, cheese, boiled eggs, breads, pickles, and two apple pies. She sent cider to drink with lunch. There is tea and two cakes for our afternoon respite."
~X~
"The attic bedrooms are set. We moved the morning room's smaller mirror to the mantle in the staff common room. We replaced the smaller mirror with one of the larger ones from Rosings." Mrs. Manning explained the work which had been completed. "We set a midday meal for the workers in the morning room. You may join us in the kitchen."
"Good; there is more work to be done." Mary consulted another page in her book. "Your bed linens are an embarrassment. I want Barlow to put them in the outbuilding used for laundry. Once we have a chance to interview Maryanne Lowe for a laundry maid position, we'll have several days' work for her. Once we wash the linens, I will determine what to do with them. Use bed linens from the parsonage linen press to make the beds in your rooms. There will be time to replace the thin linens before they are needed in the spring for the guest rooms. I have Holland cloths to cover the furniture in the two unused bedrooms on the third floor."
~X~
Mr. Dalton arrived before three to discuss the work needed at Hunsford Parsonage. "Mr. Knowles and Mr. Manning recommended me." He tipped his cap to Mary.
"Please come with me to see what needs to be done." Barlow followed them at a discreet distance. While Mr. Collins accompanied Lady Catherine to the assizes; Mary intended to have necessary work completed at the parsonage.
"This room, next to the kitchen, can be fitted up for a stillroom. Although the stillroom won't have an oven or a stove, Mrs. Collins can use the oven, stove, and the sink in the kitchen." Mrs. Manning explained to Mr. Dalton.
"I will keep the table in the center of the room. Please build me a series of storage shelves from the door to the corner, from floor to six feet tall. I will store baskets and wash basins, etc. on the shelves. Leave the top of the shelves open for me to place empty casks, etc. On the opposite wall, I need a long work surface, waist high, about 30 inches wide over a set of drawers." Mary and Mr. Dalton discussed her sketches for the storage shelves and for the work surface and drawers.
"Above the work surface, I need one shelf, a two and ten inches wide, across the length of the wall, to hold items." Mary handed another sketch for the room to Mr. Dalton. "Above the table, I need hanging racks for drying herbs and bouquets, especially the lavender which I will grow. I'm putting a hall tree and a small escritoire on this wall," she tapped the one next to the door. "The standing herb racks can be used in open space or in the distillery."
"Tell him some of the things we need to do once your stillroom is prepped," Mrs. Manning urged.
"After the stillroom is created, I need to prepare winter medicines. I will take time to make spices. I brought the ingredients to make Fine Spice, Powder Douce, Powder Fort, and Sweet Spice." Mary informed Mr. Dalton and the Mannings.
"I learned a new spice receipt from Mrs. Gibbons, the cook at Rosings. She learned the receipt from Lady Catherine's French chef. The French Spice is equal parts of savory, marjoram, rosemary, thyme and oregano." Mrs. Manning explained. "I like to use the French Spice for roast beef or venison or in beef or venison stew. Sometimes I leave out the oregano and use sage instead if I'm making chicken stew."
"Sounds interesting," Mary acknowledged. "I'd like you to make some stew for us to try it. If we like the seasoning, we'll note the receipt for using again. I need to prepare a medicinal basket for making calls on the ill. I need to make the special vinegar wash for bathing new babies. I need to make floral waters for me and spice waters for Mr. Collins."
After Mr. Dalton took measurements, Mary took him to the next big project. Blushing, Mary requested Mr. Dalton look at Mr. Collins' sleeping room. She pointed their rooms out on the map of the parsonage. "I'd like a connecting door between our rooms," she modestly looked out the window instead of at Mr. Dalton. "Our rooms are mirror opposites to one another. While there is usually no lock on the lady's side of the door, I want one on both sides."
"Understood, Mrs. Collins," Mr. Dalton said. He took a drawing of the parsonage layout with him. After inspecting the rest of the parsonage with Mr. Manning; he returned to the sitting room followed by Mrs. Manning bearing a tea tray.
"Let's have tea and discuss what needs to be done." Mary suggested. Mrs. Manning left the sitting room door open while she sat in a chair in the hall. She chaperoned while attending her needlework instead of listening to the conversation.
"We will not discuss the door between the rooms," Mr. Dalton laid out his paperwork. They came to an agreement to fix creaking boards on the stairway and in the second-floor hall, caulking drafty windows, tightening loose shutters, and fitting up a stillroom near the kitchen for Mary. He would remove the shelves from the closets. He offered to fix the creaky door to Mr. Collins' bookroom; but Mary asked he not do that. The creak alerted Mary and the staff that Mr. Collins spotted Lady Catherine or Miss Anne passing the parsonage in their equipage. Mary and household staff had a few minutes to prepare for guests.
"I have my list of tasks, and require three days to see my tasks done proper. Once the shutters are repaired and the windows caulked, you need warmer drapes for winter. We can remove all but two shelves from each closet to give room for hanging clothes, storing trunks, etc. Per your instructions, we will not make changes to Mr. Collins' closet." Mr. Dalton and his two apprentices would start early the following morning. Mary offered to feed them breakfast, midday and tea so they would not depart to take meals and tarry their return. The carpentry work would be completed before Mr. Collins returned from the assizes. Mr. Dalton understood he would report to Mr. Manning since Mary did not know if she would be in residence for the remainder of the week. She asked Mr. Manning to approve the work and pay Mr. Dalton when the work had been finished. She gave Mrs. Manning directions to feed Mr. Dalton and his helpers.
"I will choose new wallpaper for the drawing room, morning room, my sitting room, my sleeping quarters and Mr. Collins' sleeping quarters. Are you qualified to install wallpaper for me?" Mary asked. "I believe I will be prepared to make changes after Midsummer."
Mr. Dalton recommended she purchase her wallpapers from London. He claimed they offered a better selection. Mary suspected she would avoid gossip or interference if she purchased her choices in London.
They toured the potential gardens before Mr. Dalton left. He promised to return at the end of February to build cold frames for starter plants. Mary wanted a grape arbor, but the gardens required planting before she could decide where to put it. Mr. Dalton recommended Mary view the glebe several times a day in early spring to determine the sunshine for each part. He guaranteed such actions would help her since she did not know the glebe.
They inspected the outbuildings and discussed repairs to be done between now and spring. "The distillery for the parsonage has not been used in years, except for storing the ashes from fires. Because we don't have a stillroom maid, our ashes go to Rosings distillery to make soaps and candles. Mrs. Manning barters our ashes for soaps and candles for parsonage and rectory staff." Mr. Manning commented. "The distillery will need a great deal of work if you plan to use it. However the hanging racks can be taken down, cleaned and moved to your stillroom in the house. In the spring, Mr. Dalton can build new racks to use this space better."
Mr. Dalton agreed.
Mary peeked inside the door at the large room with stone floors and cold chimney. The dusty windows in the distillery blocked the late afternoon light. "This is a good space for a distillery, especially for making soaps, distilled floral waters and drying sweet smelling herbs and flowers for sachets and potpourri. This room is so much larger than my stillroom. Using the distillery in the outbuildings will keep the heat from the house in the summer. Is there space in the outbuildings for a dairy?"
"When you have your dairy cow or cows in the spring, let us speak with Mr. Knowles. You can barter the milk from your cow for butter, cheese, and cream plus part of the milk. The Rosings dairy maids can milk the cows and deliver your barter." Mr. Manning explained.
Mary, the parsonage staff and the staff from Rosings worked until dusk. Unused furniture from the sitting room, drawing room and Mr. Collins' bookroom had been returned to upper levels of the Dower House.
"The table and chairs for six in the green room was moved to the staff common room. The small two person work table in your sitting room was moved to the green room. The men moved morning room round table and four chairs to your sitting room. The six extra chairs in your sitting room have been distributed in attic rooms. We switched the sideboard and china dresser in the morning room with the ones in the dining room, flanking the fireplace in each room. The Rosings rectangular table and chairs for ten are in place in the morning room. The rectangular table fits better than the round table." Mrs. Manning observed as Mary crossed tasks of her lists of things to do.
Upon hearing a knock on the front door, Mary went to her sitting room. Despite the plans she drew for the room, she had yet to put it to rights. Mr. Manning answered the door.
Flashback – Monday at Longbourn
"Express for you sir," Mr. Hill handed Mr. Bennet an express. Mr. Bennet read it, and fury crossed his face. He noted only Jane and Lizzy were present for breakfast. Mrs. Bennet and Lydia were in bed with severe colds which Kitty caught at Mrs. Phillips' card party.
"Girls, we have a great deal to do, and little time to do it. I have to go to Hunsford Parsonage. I will take Mr. Hill with me, but my departure must remain quiet. I will not impose your sick Mama and sisters on Mary." He rang for Mr. and Mrs. Hill, explained about the express, and set out his plans.
Jane would attend Mama and her sisters, who were asleep. Lizzy would help Mrs. Hill with the preparations Mr. Bennet planned. Mr. Hill would pack for both men to stay ten days at Hunsford Parsonage. While Mr. Bennet packed books and items to take, Mr. Hill had the carriage and horses brought from the main farm. Mr. Bennet appreciated the clear, dry roads.
Before Mr. Bennet could depart, Colonel Forester appeared at Longbourn. Colonel Forester explained an express he received from Hunsford. Colonel Flynn would take the last available inside seat on the post coach, and would arrive in Meryton before dusk. He had orders for Colonel Forester and the militia. Colonel Forester explained Mrs. Collins gave her seat to the injured officer. She would not arrive in Meryton until tomorrow or the day after.
Mr. Bennet explained he too received an express. He planned to travel to Hunsford to see Mary. He asked Colonel Forester to keep his men away from Longbourn until his return, perhaps in a fortnight. He explained his wife and daughters were ill and should not be disturbed. Colonel Forester promised Mr. Bennet he would keep his men away from Longbourn before he departed. Hill removed the knocker; Mr. Bennet locked it away in the safe until his return.
Once the carriage had been loaded, warmed, and ready to depart Longbourn, Mr. Bennet turned to Jane and Lizzy. "Keep your Mama and sisters in good order, along with the house. I removed the knocker so you shouldn't have visitors while I am gone. We don't want to share your Mama's cold with our neighbors, nor our tenants." Mr. Bennet kissed them goodbye and stepped into the warmed carriage, adjusting a robe over his legs.
Jane handed up his reading satchel and today's paper. Lizzy handed him a food hamper. Jane and Lizzy waved as the carriage lumbered away.
"Papa thinks they will not arrive at Hunsford Parsonage until almost dusk," Jane pulled her shawl around her shoulders.
"Mayhap later," Lizzy predicted. "Especially if the horses require a longer rest. However, the roads are dry and clear."
"Let's rearrange the menus for the week since we have nursing to do, no men to feed, and no callers to entertain." Jane urged their return to the warm house. "Soups, hot tea and cold cider will feed all of us. I appreciate Mary leaving a full stillroom before she left."
Monday, Hunsford Parsonage, evening
"Is this Hunsford Parsonage?" A gentleman addressed Mr. Manning.
"This is Hunsford Parsonage sir, but Mr. Collins is not in attendance," Mr. Manning refused entrance to the gentleman.
"Indeed, so I heard by express from Mr. Talfort," Thomas Bennet's eyes twinkled. "You must be Michael Manning, I am Mrs. Collins' father, Thomas Bennet. Might I enter?"
"Apologies sir; you are most welcome." Mr. Manning held the door for Thomas Bennet. "I will take you to Mrs. Collins and then see to your luggage. I recommend your man house your carriage and horses at the inn, for our outbuildings have not been prepared to house animals or equipage."
"The carriage is full of supplies. I apologize, the parsonage seems to be at sixes and sevens." Mr. Bennet noted the disarray.
"Mrs. Collins is setting the place to rights while Mr. Collins is in London," Mr. Manning smothered a smile. "Mrs. Collins is in her sitting room."
"Tell her there is a message about her travel plans, and then step aside. I want to surprise her." Mr. Bennet requested.
Mr. Manning led him down the hall, and rapped quietly on Mrs. Collins' sitting room door.
"Enter," she called out, attempting to sort the stacks of items and books on the table. She really wanted a hot fire, a hot wash, hot food and a warm nightgown. She felt too tired to read or plan tonight. She needed her sleep if she traveled tomorrow.
"A messenger, regarding your travel plans for tomorrow," Mr. Manning stepped aside. Mr. Bennet peered around the doorway.
"Papa!" Mary threw herself at him. "Oh, Papa! I am ever so glad to see you." She hugged him again.
"My dearest Mary," he hugged her back. "Is there a possibility of a warm room, soft bed, hot water and hot food for a few days?"
"You have not come to transport me to Longbourn?" Mary whispered to him.
"You appear quite busy here. I would not wish to interrupt your work. I understand you are quite busy organizing and settling your new home." Mr. Bennet smiled.
"Oh Papa!" Mary brushed her tears away. "Let's settle you in a comfortable room," She rang for Mrs. Manning. "Do we have a room which is not in too much disarray? My father will be staying with us for a few days."
"I'll be staying until Mr. Collins returns from London," Mr. Bennet corrected Mary. "Depending on his schedule; I could be here for a sennight to a fortnight. I require nothing more than a warm room, soft bed, hot water and hot food. I brought a satchel of reading materials with me. However, Hill and I are here to help. He will need a room also."
"We will be very busy here for a few days," Mary grimaced. "Are you sure you don't want me to arrange a quiet room at the inn for each of you?"
"I would not miss the chance of seeing you run a household as well as I know you are able. Hill and I shall roll up shirt sleeves and get dug in with you. I'm sure you can use more hands to lift and move things." Mr. Bennet laughed.
"How about the blue room, on the north side of the second floor for Mr. Bennet?" Mrs. Manning asked. "We've made no furniture changes; we can prepare the room quite easily. Mr. Dalton removed the closet shelves today. We can put Mr. Hill in one of the newly arranged rooms on the third floor with staff."
"Very well." Mary dismissed the Mannings to handle the situation. "After your room is ready and you have a chance to dust your travels off, we can have supper. I hoped to have an early evening because we have been busy today. We will be busy every day until the parsonage is set to rights."
"An early evening sounds wonderful," Mr. Bennet agreed. "We stopped at Hunsford Inn to see Mr. Talfort. He knows our horses and carriage need stabling. Everything is arranged."
"Will you mind eating from trays in my sitting room tonight? I have the morning room and the dining room arranged, but the fires are low. They haven't been roused since tea at five. I also apologize, I didn't plan anything more than hot soup, hot rolls, and something sweet for dessert. I have good wine, or we can have coffee or tea."
"A tray sounds lovely. Tea will be fine. You can bring your pages to the table and we can discuss the work which needs to be done."
"I worried you were here to take me home to Longbourn. I tried to write detailed instructions for the staff." Mary held up several pieces of paper.
"I heard Mr. Collins went to London and ordered you, via his patroness, to travel to Longbourn without a maid or footman. I would not have minded your company. However, Kitty and Mrs. Phillips are unwell with a cold, which Kitty shared with your Mama and Lydia. If you came to Longbourn, you would nurse them and any tenants who became ill. Mrs. Bennet would require you to make six months of cough syrups, and medicines for four and twenty people. There would be no rest for you. Mary, I know Mr. Collins is your husband. However, I must have a promise from you. Do not allow him to order you into unsafe or unsavory situations. A lady does not travel alone, especially by post coach."
"I know Papa. I felt relieved when I heard a colonel from His Majesty's Army needed my seat this morning. I hoped to receive notice there were no seats available tomorrow either." Mary felt relieved because she would not travel to Longbourn.
"Well then, I am glad my presence is good news. After I refresh myself, you can give me a tour of the parsonage. Then we'll have dinner and an early night." Mr. Bennet was determined to be amiable to Mary's staff and workers. He saved his scolds for Mr. Collins.
~X~
"Delicious stew," Mr. Bennet remarked. "I had forgotten how wonderful a simple supper could be. Mrs. Manning is an excellent cook. The Longbourn legacy is earning five percent at the bank. The bank knows to move the five percent from the legacy into my Longbourn operating account on quarter days. After Christmas, the repair work begins on the inside of the Steward's House and Longbourn. First quarter I will replace the farm horses. I'm selling Nellie and the chestnuts to tenants. I'm keeping the bays for riding and for the one-horse gig. Second quarter will be repair work for the Steward's House, main farm and tenant farms. Third quarter I will replace the riding horse and tack. Fourth quarter I will have the one-horse gig and carriage inspected and arrange for repairs and upkeep."
"How will you explain this to Mother?" Mary knew Mother would harangue Papa for every available pound to spend on clothes or entertainment.
"I will tell your Mama I am spending your portion for upkeep on Longbourn. I hope to have the Steward's House repairs finished by Lady Day, so I can lease it. I know I gave you this December and next year's pin money; but I brought more if you need it." Mr. Bennet offered. "I know the effort and funds required to establish a home. I spent a fortnight establishing my study. I would not allow your Mama to help."
"Papa, additional funds are not necessary. You brought me a full carriage of food, wines, ciders, etc. Additionally, you are housing your horses and carriage at the inn. This will be a costly trip for you, Papa. I have the balance of my trousseau and pin money, the household fund, and my savings from selling eggs, honey and herbs." Mary assured him.
"You earned everything we put in the carriage for you. You increased the gardens and orchards. The honey harvest was better this year than I can remember. Mr. Locke recommended I hire a stillroom maid, since your Mama and sisters are ill. He gave me three recommendations." Mr. Bennet discussed the three recommendations with Mary.
"I would move Sarah from maid-of-all-things to stillroom maid. She helped with the gardens last year. She helped me in the stillroom, and with the bees. She knows Mr. Locke and Mr. Jones, and I think she will work well with them. I know she can make the herbal teas, restorative broths and medicinal sherry. She helped in the distillery. She helped Mr. Hill and I make cider, mead and wines. She also helped in the dairy when needed. I think hiring a kitchen maid might be easier. You can hire a kitchen maid who worked at Netherfield Park. I understand Miss Bingley released several of the staff before she returned to London."
"As always, my Mary has sensible suggestions. Mr. Collins has no idea how to run Longbourn, or how to deal with tenant farmers. While I hope for a grandson before I pass, we have not informed Mr. Collins of the change from entail to single succession inheritance. If he inherits, you must teach him, Mary, or he will ruin Longbourn. He must learn how to be a gentleman and a good landlord. He will soon learn his tenants are as demanding as parishioners."
"Will you create a list of what he needs to learn? Thank you for moderating Mama's exhortations about my situation. Thank you for threatening to penalize pin moneys to prevent gossip about me. I cannot bear to be censured and the topic of conversation in Meryton!" 'Especially since I believe I am the newest topic of conversation in Hunsford.' Mary tried to keep her emotions in good order to enjoy dinner with Papa.
"I brought you something special," Mr. Bennet handed Mary a book. "Blackwell's Herbal. I know you have your own herbal receipts. However, I found this in the library at Longbourn, and knew you would use it. I've been writing out the list of books which stay with Longbourn, and which ones can be sold to support your Mama." They talked quietly about the parsonage and the glebe for the rest of dinner.
Mr. Bennet listened to Mary, encouraged by her work on Hunsford Parsonage. He knew Collins venerated his patroness. Uncharitably, he considered one of the few Bible verses he knew by heart. 'For the time will come when people will not listen to the truth. Instead, they will seek teachers who utter what they want to hear.They will turn from the church and follow false ideals.'
~X~
"Thank you for the hot water, Mrs. Manning. I want all of you to have an early night also. I know you have things to do in your rooms. Papa and I need hot water in the morning, mayhap at seven? We'll take coffee and hot rolls in the morning room. We have more furniture to bring from the Dower House. We have more rooms to arrange. We'll plan to serve the workers breakfast at ten, and midday at one. At five we take our leisure for a short time. The workers will depart by dusk. Mrs. Havens will send food for breakfast, midday, and afternoon tea this week. However, I would prefer to be finished with inside work tomorrow before dusk. I will gladly pay for a laundress and laundry helper until we can interview Maryanne Lowe. I will also pay four females who can help clean the parsonage from cellar to attics before Saturday."
"After the men help arrange the house, they will arrange the cellars, work on the stables and the out pens for the animals. They will clean the outbuildings for the laundry, and the distillery." Mrs. Manning reported. "Mr. Bennet brought crates of root vegetables, fall garden stuff, apples and nuts, along with a dozen bottles of mead and a dozen bottles of apple wine. He brought two bottles of your red currant wine and two of the orange wine. He brought two large casks of apple cider. He brought a cask of mead which needs to cure for a year. He brought more bags of herbs, a basket of dried willow bark, crocks of honey, a crock of mincemeat, and two very large hams which are direct from the smokehouse at Longbourn. He brought a large wheel of cheese from the dairy farm at Longbourn. We will retire after we store everything properly tonight. I will add these items to your pantry inventory."
"Bless Papa for thinking of us. Evening meals will be stews and soups, hot rolls, and a sweet. I will let you sort those menus. You know what needs to be used. Papa and I talked. We plan to have early mornings and early evenings for the remainder of the week. He is not returning to Longbourn until Mr. Collins returns home. Papa's man, Mr. Hill, taught me about gardens, beekeeping and small animals. I'm looking forward to discussing the gardens with him."
"Hill offered to help Mr. Manning with clearing and restoring the stables and outbuildings along with any other tasks." Mrs. Manning explained.
"That would be a wonderful use of his time. If there is time this week, I want to clean the orchard. The leaves will be a good bed for a compost pile. The trees need pruned. We can make the limbs into firewood for fire pits for the orchard." Mary added compost pile to her garden list.
At bedtime, Mary knelt to say her prayers. Mary prayed for Mr. Collins and Lady Catherine. Then she prayed for herself…because there would be a reckoning because she did not travel to Longbourn. There would be a reckoning about Papa and Mr. Hill coming to Hunsford. There would be a reckoning when Lady Catherine saw the cleaned and rearranged parsonage. However, Mary appreciated having the remainder of the week in Hunsford and not Longbourn.
~X~
"I hired a pair of Bow Street Runners to keep an eye on Catherine and Mr. Collins," Reggie revealed to Constance. "Since it is Little Season, their activities will be reported in social pages, drawing rooms, and at my club. Perhaps Friday, we will call upon my sister after Bow Street Runners report to me."
"What is she about?" Constance asked crossly. "Little Season is vexing enough without added chaos from your sister."
"The Bow Street Runners and I reviewed the list of cases to be heard at the assizes. I do not believe any could possibly be of interest to her."
"I think she came to London, not to attend the assizes, but to create problems for Mary Collins. I hope Mrs. Collins finishes her tasks at the parsonage before they return." Constance considered the express. "You now, I believe Anne may need some assistance from us. She must be feeling better if she is willing to thwart her mother in this manner. We need to make plans Reggie. Richard will be home soon…the holidays are upon us…and we have approximately three months between Twelfth Night and the opening of the Season."
Day Two sans Mr. Collins
Mary returned to Rosings. She had a list of other furniture needed for the parsonage, and secured Miss Anne's secrecy about the reorganization efforts at the parsonage. She explained Mr. Bennet and his man had come to the parsonage because of the illness at Longbourn. Mrs. Havens took her to the Dower House, where her four workers from yesterday were waiting to begin the day. Mrs. Havens explained Mr. Knowles would deliver more food to the parsonage today.
Mary asked about Mrs. Jenkinson and learned she felt indisposed. She remained in her quarters; she would not go near Miss Anne until she felt better.
Mary took the green motif rug and green drapes she spotted yesterday for the green room. The red bordered rug, currently in the green room, would be more appropriate for Mr. Collins' bookroom. The tan and brown bordered rug in his bookroom would be more appropriate for her sitting room. The faded floral rug in her sitting room would be returned to the Dower House attic. The rugs in the drawing room, dining room and morning room were perfectly sized, and the colors coordinated with the wallpaper. The wallpaper in the three rooms was vile, but Mary had no time to deal with wallpaper changes before Mr. Collin returned.
Papa, Hill and Manning emptied Mr. Collins' bookroom and Mary's sitting room Then they emptied the drawing room. They were not required to wait too long before four men and Mary returned with two full wagons of household furnishings and furniture to finish arranging the parsonage. Everyone appreciated the clear, warm day to move furniture to the crushed rock drive, change rugs, and rearrange rooms.
~X~
Mary observed her newly rearranged sitting room. Barlow hung the two matching sets of cream drapes Mary found at the Dower House. The tan and brown bordered rug from Mr. Collins' bookroom fit her sitting room very well. A cream settee and two chocolate and cream stripe wing chairs from the Dower House furnished the seating area of her sitting room. She had a small armoire to hold her workbox, sewing materials and her art box. She placed the round table and four chairs from the morning room near the armoire and by a window for light. She removed pictures which were not pleasing and replaced them with pictures of gardens. The sampler, which Mary made when she turned nine, graced the wall inside the door. She centered the oak leaves and acorns linen doily Jane embroidered on the table with a bouquet of dried lavender. The best silk pillow from Longbourn's drawing room found a comfortable corner of the settee.
Mary moved the writing desk from her sitting room to the green room. She placed a medium-sized escritoire from the Dower House near a window for light. She enjoyed putting her books on the shelves, behind leaded glass doors. Her small round tables were clear except for candlesticks and small bowls of lavender and rose petals. The cleared mantle held a clock and a set of candlesticks. She placed a large, plain, framed mirror over the mantle. She found and acquired fireplace tools to replace the incomplete set which had been left in the room. She found a set of fireplace screens. Mary felt quite content with her cleaned and snug sitting room. Not only was it at the opposite end of the parsonage from Mr. Collins bookroom…she would not see the road and Lady Catherine passing by.
The pared down drawing room improved the seating and access of the room. Pictures in ornate gilt frames were replaced with landscapes with wooden frames. The three plain benches in the hall were removed and replaced with a two-seatback bench with arms, a larger coat rack, and a console table with a large mirror above it. Mr. Manning put the three plain benches in the hallway of the cellar for staff or tradesmen.
Mr. Collins' cleaned and rearranged bookroom felt warmed with clean windows and heavy red drapes from the Dower House. Mary put the two leather-covered chairs from the drawing room in Mr. Collins' bookroom on either side of the library table. She decorated with hunting pictures, porcelains of pheasants at rest and masculine bookends. She found and acquired a masculine inkwell and desk set. Mr. Collins' clean desk looked out onto the road. Mary restocked his desk with quills, ink and paper to facilitate writing sermons. Everything was cleaned, shined and set to show off the room. Mary hoped Mr. Collins would use the warm, inviting bookroom daily when he wasn't calling on parishioners. Mary planned to finish one set of sleeves for Mr. Collins to wear while he wrote his sermons.
Mr. Bennet and Mary discussed the Iliad and the Odyssey over their simple dinner of chicken stew with hot rolls and apple cake. Mr. Bennet did not miss the well-laid table at Longbourn. The food at Mary's home was simple, filling and plentiful. Mr. Bennet seemed exceptionally pleased at Mary's knowledge of classical literature. 'How did I forget Mary is better read than just the Bible and Fordyce's Sermons?'
Day Three Sans Mr. Collins
Mr. Bennet arranged the books and pamphlets in Mr. Collins' bookroom. He created a new catalogue of the books and the bookroom. Mr. Bennet did not expect Mr. Collins' bookroom to be grand, but he never remembered a time when his library appeared this sparse. He made notes to purchase books as presents for Mr. Collins. With Mary busy with the house, Mr. Bennet wrote a plan of study for Mr. Collins to become a gentleman. The man needed guidance. How could he consider sending his wife alone, post coach, for fifty miles to her parents? This London trip was inappropriate for a man who had not been married a week.
Mary was pleased with the changes Mr. Dalton made in the stillroom for her. She unpacked purchases, and the remainder of the stillroom things from her trunk. The men helped her set a small escritoire and chair on the empty wall. Mary drew three sets of drying pegs to fit between the escritoire and the long top over drawers. She appreciated Dalton setting the drawers next to the wall on both sides and leaving space beneath for casks and small crates. Mary placed her apothecary chests on one side of the long work space, and her medical basket and objects for it on the other side. She filled the apothecary drawers with small muslin bags of seed in alphabetical order. She placed her stillroom receipts and books in the escritoire. She sorted the baskets by size and filled the shelves inside the door. She filled a large baskets on top of the shelves with comfrey, green willow bark, lavender petals, rose petals, and sewn muslin bags. She set her garden tools in one basket under the bench Mr. Dalton made. She hung her garden smock, apron and hat, and slid her garden boots under the bench. She filled her escritoire with paper, ink and quills and made a list of stillroom tasks. The new book and her stillroom receipts book had pride of place in her escritoire.
After midday meal, Mary walked the glebe with Mr. Hill, and drew his suggestions about where to place gardens. He explained where she could place the beehives and the compost pile. "Let me show you the outbuildings," Mr. Manning offered. "Stable, coach house, and tack room," he indicated one third of the long building. "Piggery, cow pens and calf shelter," he indicated the second one-third. "Fowl houses and runs. The laundry and distillery are in that separate building."
Mary was kind to her staff; but knew what needed to be done. She wasn't above getting stuck in with her staff to rearrange and clean the parsonage. She asked Mr. Bennet to approach the four men from Rosings, at the end of the day on Wednesday. While they were employees of Rosings, who provided food for them during the reorganization, Mr. Bennet slipped a coin to each one and thanked them on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Collins. He also slipped a coin to Mr. Hill and to Mr. Knowles. Mary appreciated Mr. Hill's well-drawn plans for expanding her kitchen gardens, her herb garden, and the orchard in addition to where to place the animals.
Maryanne called at the parsonage. Mrs. Manning and Mary interviewed her. She had excellent recommendations from Mrs. Havens at Rosings for her ability to spotlessly clean and mend clothes. She recommended the same receipt for mild soap for silks and delicate materials as Mrs. Hill used. She knew to use stronger soaps for table, bed and bath linens to remove stains easily. Maryanne agreed to work Mondays and Tuesdays, doing laundry for the parsonage. Wednesday she would mend or sew for the parsonage.
Mrs. Manning took Maryanne to view the linen press on the second floor, and she sighed over the inferior quality of the linens. She recommended replacing the thin, overwashed kitchen linens and bed linens. Mary showed her the bolt of white cotton for new sheets and the bolt of soft wool for blankets. Mary showed her the bolt of flannel for kitchen and bath linens, and for making bandages. Maryanne agreed to stay overnight on Mondays and Tuesdays, but rather than have her own room, she asked to share with her cousin, Barlow. They agreed on fair wages and Mary welcomed her to the household. Mary entered Maryanne's information on the last blank page of her household ledger.
Mr. Manning took Maryanne to the laundry outbuilding, where Maryanne and Mr. Manning agreed on the cleaning to be completed before Maryanne arrived on Monday morning by seven. She gave Mrs. Manning a list of the soaps and washing items she needed stocked before she began to work.
Day Four Sans Mr. Collins
Mary, the parsonage staff and four women from Rosings worked for the remainder of the week to clean rooms. They examined every room for use and layout. The over-stuffed, over-crowded, ill-organized rooms were now shining examples of country simplicity and comfort. All rooms had a large mirror over the mantle to reflect light. Mantles were cleared except for a set of candlesticks, a clock and one or two porcelains. Pictures and porcelains coordinated with colors of the room. A pile of pictures, porcelains and excessive furniture had been returned to the Dower House. Mrs. Manning inventoried rooms, providing Mary with lists. When Mary rested, she began a new catalogue of Hunsford Parsonage. She used one of her blank, everyday books to list each room and its contents.
Rosings sent food daily for feeding everyone working at the parsonage. Mary felt grateful for Miss Anne's kindness. The daily offerings helped Mrs. Manning guide the cleaning of the parsonage. Mr. Manning and Mr. Hill cleaned the cellars, rearranging the hodge podge into useful areas and rooms.
"What do you do with your coal dust," Mr. Hill inquired.
"We sweep the dust into buckets. The girls sprinkle a cup of the coal dust over the kindling when they lay the fires." Mr. Manning replied. "We store ash from Michaelmas to Lady Day. Mrs. Manning works with staff of Rosings to make soaps and candles."
Hill nodded his approval of using coal dust and leavings. "Mrs. Hill and I are quite envious of the staff at Hunsford Parsonage. Mrs. Mary was good to us. She helped with gardens, animals, bees, and cooking. Have you tasted her honey biscuits? They are a treat."
"She promised to teach Mrs. Manning several new receipts when we finish with the parsonage." Mr. Manning acknowledged.
"You will be treated well by Mrs. Mary." Hill assured Manning.
~X~
"Now that I have married Mr. Collins…please tell Mother I expect a letter where she extolls the joy of dancing in the hedgerows instead of starving in them," Mary teased Papa. "As God provides for the birds in the hedgerows; he will provide for Mother when she is a widow."
"Reviewing the household books with Mrs. Bennet dissolves into a diatribe about the entailed estate. I'd rather wait to review the ledgers when she is above stairs with a nervous headache." Mr. Bennet shook his head. "Since you are gone, I should train Kitty about the household ledgers and ask Jane and Lizzy to train her to call on tenants."
Mary told Papa about refusing to let Lady Catherine see her ledgers, tell her how to arrange her pantry, and teach her how to order meats from the butcher. She disturbed Mr. Collins by refusing to allow his patroness to run their life and home. She explained Lady Catherine denigrated Mary's independent traits. Mr. Bennet chuckled and toasted Mary. "Keep them on the back foot my dear, while you forge ahead with your tasks."
Day Five sans Mr. Collins, Friday
Mr. Bennet sent an express to Mr. Collins in London; explaining he would remain at Hunsford Parsonage with Mary until Mr. Collins returned from London. He explained how Mrs. Bennet and Mary's younger sisters were ill. He did not want Mary to catch their colds and carry illness to Miss Anne or the parishioners at Hunsford Rectory.
When Mr. Dalton removed shelves from the closet, he added pegs for Barlow to hang Mary's day gowns. He finished the connecting door before Barlow and Mrs. Manning cleaned both rooms. Furniture in the green room had been readjusted one more time before Barlow and Mrs. Manning moved Mary to the green room. The larger armoire, dresser, dressing mirror, wash stand and dressing screen from the primrose room flanked the closet. The fireplace had been cleaned and set with proper fireplace tools and screen from the Dower House. An appropriately sized bed for a married woman had been made up with green bed curtains and counterpane which Miss Anne gleaned from Rosings Park supplies and sent with Mr. Knowles while Mrs. Jenkinson remained in her quarters. Night tables could hold a book, a candlestick and a water decanter with a glass. Mary hung long mirrors above the nightstands to reflect candlelight. A medium-sized desk and chair fit on one side of the window facing the rectory. A small comfortable chaise fit the other side. Botanical drawings freshened Mary's sleeping room. Her porcelains were very pretty florals. She found more desk tools and pretty floral bookends at the Dower House. Mary deemed her sleeping room comfortable, and felt content.
Mr. Collins' sleeping room contained properly-sized furniture and a large mirror over the fireplace. After cleaning and better arrangement, Mary examined his bed linens and drapes. They would need to be replaced before next winter. She found better fireplace tools and fire screen at the Dower House and acquired them to furnish his room properly. She did not set his room with a writing desk or bookcase because he had those in his bookroom if he needed them. His wash stand had been filled with infused waters and soaps.
With Mr. Collins at the assizes with Lady Catherine, Mary gathered an old shirt, old night shirt and a threadbare flannel banyan. She also gathered a threadbare black clerical robe. She visited the tailor in Hunsford. While purchasing items the week of the wedding, Mary purchased lengths of fine black wool for a new winter clerical robe for Mr. Collins. She hired the tailor to sew the new clerical robe before Christmas. She gave the tailor the materials, thread and black frogs she purchased for the robe. She found a length of tapestry material at Mr. Gardiner's warehouse to create an excellent Bible cover and bookmark for the pulpit at rectory. She needed measurements and knew she could complete both before Christmas.
Mary commissioned two-night shirts and a warm flannel banyan. She paid to have the night clothes prepared by Twelfth Night. The tailor did not make shirts, but he recommended lengths of fabric needed and recommended good white cotton or muslin for the shirts. Mary would order materials from Gardiner's Emporium in the future. She could use one of his older shirts as a pattern for the new shirts.
Mr. Bennet enjoyed visiting the bookstore in Hunsford. The Hunsford bookstore had a large slate which announced the December assembly on the third Friday. Mary would mention the assembly to Mr. Collins. She did not plan to attend, but felt the staff should have the opportunity to attend. She wondered how many chances they would have to step away from their duties at Hunsford Parsonage. Then her face fell. She could not remember Mr. Collins giving staff a coin for celebrating their marriage or giving them time off.
"Mr. Manning, did Mr. Collins arrange for a bowl of punch for the staff when we were married? Did he remember to give you celebratory funds?" Mary asked when she returned to the parsonage.
"No ma'am," Mr. Manning replied. "Mr. Collins doesn't know some of the finer points of being a gentleman. However, you work very hard to ameliorate his faults. The parsonage has never looked finer, ma'am."
"All staff are released on Sunday after we eat midday meal. I will prepare dinner Sunday evening. Here is a pound for a celebratory bowl of punch and dinner. Here is a coin for each of the staff with my grateful thanks for the hard work performed this week." Mary handed him the coins. "I will arrange for Mr. Hill to lay and light fires for us Sunday afternoon and evening."
"Thank you, Mrs. Collins. Mrs. Manning was just saying this morning how well you fitted up the parsonage. The staff appreciates the improvements to our quarters and to the staff common room." Mr. Manning bowed. "We appreciate the evening fires also."
"You are very welcome, Mr. Manning. One of my tasks is to provide a comfortable home for all of us. If I had known your living conditions when I arrived; there would have been changes before my trunks and crates were ever unpacked. Maryanne and I will make new heavier drapes for all your rooms when the material arrives," Mary promised. "We will also make new bed linens and warm woolen blankets."
Mr. Manning returned to his duties and Mary sat down at her escritoire. She enjoyed looking at the silver desk set: a letter opener, quizzing glass, seal with a floral motif, sand shaker, handled blotter, and the salver which she found in a second-floor suite at the Dower House. She found a lovely floral embossed silver inkwell with a matching silver candlestick. Mary filled a drawer with paper, quills, quill wipers, and ink. She entered the coins for the Rosings workers, her staff and her purchases this week in her household ledger and then put her household lockbox and ledger away. Her desk set purchased in London was moved to the escritoire in the stillroom.
Mary believed cleaning and rearrangement of the parsonage would be the beginning of proper regulation for their lives. The clean, cleared rooms provided for elevation of thought and spirit. So much work had been accomplished this week; but so much more needed to be done. She needed to finish the parsonage catalogue. She needed to copy the rectory lists which Papa found in the bookroom. She needed to finish sleeves for Mr. Collins. She needed to sew mob caps for herself. She needed to order shirt materials for Mr. Collins and sew his shirts before Lady Day. She needed mornings in the stillroom with Barlow.
Before dinner Miss Anne sent a note to Mary with a basket of food. Miss Anne received an express from Lady Catherine. She had been warned to expect Lady Catherine before dinner on Saturday. Mary slid the note in her pocket and requested Mrs. Manning put the food in the cellar. Mary provided an updated menu for Saturday evening and for Sunday. She asked Mrs. Manning to make honey biscuits and one of Lizzy's butter pound cakes for tea and an apple cake for dinner. The parsonage was cleaned, polished, snug and inviting. With a hot meal, a bottle of wine, and delicious sweets…mayhap Mr. Collins would not be shocked by her bold action of installing a connecting door between their rooms. Mayhap Mr. Bennet's presence would temper Mr. Collins' ire because Mary ignored Lady Catherine's directive to travel to Longbourn.
While in London, Mary purchased a bolt of sturdy brown cotton and one of cream cotton. She would separate lengths for new day dresses for Mrs. Manning, Barlow, Maryanne and Rose and a new waistcoat for Mr. Manning as Christmas/Boxing Day gifts. She would separate the cream cotton into lengths for two new shirts for Mr. Manning and two aprons and two plain mob caps for each of the female staff. She purchased thread and buttons for all of them. Along with their wages for the quarter and their material presents, she would buy peppermints and oranges a few days before Christmas. She needed appropriate coinage to pay Barlow and Maryanne's wages.
Mary finished her letter to Aunt Gardiner, adding the slates, chalk and primer books for teaching Barlow, Rose and Maryanne to her order. She requested fine white cotton for shirts for Mr. Collins with white buttons. She requested a bolt of the cream heavy flannel for drapes in the staff rooms. She asked for the end pieces of cream silk material, and brown, gold and green silk embroidery threads. She tucked a bank draft in the letter and asked they send an invoice. She recommended they apply the excess to her next order. She promised to finish the coin holders and the reticule coin liner by Twelfth Night.
Mary wrote a letter to Jane and Lizzy, thanking them for their help preparing Papa to come to her. She related her busy week cleaning and polishing the parsonage. She told about fitting and arranging her stillroom. She explained Papa would stay with her until Mr. Collins returned to Hunsford Parsonage.