Wretched Beginnings Chapter 10 – December 1812
Saturday, Hunsford Parsonage
"Mrs. Collins," Mr. Collins called out when he returned home before tea time. Once he shed his coat and hat, he went to her sitting room. He did not seem to notice the work Mary had done. He did not notice how easily he traversed the hall once all the excessive furniture and pictures were removed. He did not notice the clean windows and the repaired shutters to close the clean window seat off at night.
"Mr. Collins," Mary laid her sewing aside and rose to greet him. "I didn't expect you for another hour or more."
"Lady Catherine had her coachman lay the whip on her horses. We have to talk Mary. I am not pleased you locked your door to me before I left. Acting thus is uncivil of you when Lady Catherine's provided guidance for my peace of mind and for your comfort as well. I am not pleased you did not go to Longbourn as directed. Stubbornness is not a trait I wish in my wife!" Mr. Collins' voice rose as he lectured his wife.
"Incivility is not a trait I want in a man who married my daughter. Nor a trait I want in a man who pins his future on an entail." Mr. Bennet leaned against the door to Mary's sitting room, crossing his arms across his chest. "She did not need to go to Longbourn because I came here. I learned of the situation from the wounded colonel who took Mary's place on the post coach Monday. He had papers from the War Office for Colonel Forester in Meryton. Colonel Forester called upon me. He apologized Mary would be delayed a day or two because Colonel Flynn needed her seat on the post coach. Because of the illness in Meryton, I felt Mary should not endanger herself, or carry disease to you or your parishioners. Especially not to Miss de Bourgh, who is of fragile health. I ordered Hill to pack for us, and we have been at Hunsford Parsonage this week. Mary expended great effort to prepare a safe and comfortable home for you. I suggest you go to your room, to wash and change clothes."
Mr. Collins stood resolute, glaring at Mary and Mr. Bennet.
"You best heed Papa's advice. I will check on dinner, to see if we can hurry the process. If you are hungry, I can ring for tea. We have honey biscuits and butter pound cake."
"Please send Manning to my room with hot water. Please send a tea tray to my bookroom in twenty minutes. There is no need to hurry dinner." Mr. Collins turned on his heel, stalked down the hall and bounded up the stairs.
~X~
"This is my home Mr. Bennet, where my wishes are to be respected," Mr. Collins crossed his arms, furious at Mr. Bennet giving orders to his wife and staff.
"Do you wish to have a good marriage with my daughter?" Mr. Bennet sat at the library table, unaffected by Mr. Collins' posturing and preaching.
"Yes. However, I wish for us to have a Christian home also!" Mr. Collins exclaimed.
"Do you wish to learn to be a gentleman, so you don't embarrass yourself or Mary? Do you wish to avoid the censure of the community where you will live?" Mr. Bennet sipped his tea.
Mr. Collins nodded.
"Then you must be the master of your home, not Lady Catherine. You will not order Mary into unsafe actions. No lady travels post coach alone. Lady Catherine, who is attentive to all details, should understand. Mary will not bring shame or gossip to your door by acting in such an unsavory manner, subjecting both of you to censure. Perhaps you had peace of mind, knowing Lady Catherine issued orders for you and Mary to fulfill. However, her orders did not address safety or comfort for my daughter. Do you need reminding that safety and comfort of Mary are now your responsibility?"
Collins glared at Mr. Bennet. 'Surely there would be no censure, not if Lady Catherine approved of the actions.'
"I have enjoyed this week with my daughter. I enjoyed watching Mary manage her household and staff. Instead of attending her family at Longbourn, she turned this furniture warehouse into a comfortable living space for all the inhabitants of Hunsford Parsonage." Mr. Bennet poured his tea and helped himself to a plate of Mary's honey biscuits. He indicated Mr. Collins should help himself.
"The parsonage looks wonderful, sir." The change to his sleeping quarters shocked William Collins into observing the other changes Mary made to the parsonage. He felt shocked by Manning's disappointment and the connecting door.
"While I cannot purchase a divorce for Mary, I can and will provide her a living separate from you if necessary. You should know, her marriage to you disappointed the sons of Meryton's surgeon and apothecary. They are at university to finish their medical studies. Don't make me regret your union when better chances were available for her happiness." Mr. Bennet lectured. "You promised me you would not regret this marriage. You promised me not to be cruel to Mary."
Mr. Collins remained quiet. He believed Mary would be a good wife, and an excellent mistress of both Hunsford Parsonage and Longbourn Manor. She had never dealt with a patroness before, and needed to learn to give way to Lady Catherine's wishes and orders.
"Let's discuss your sermon for tomorrow. I'm sure your esteemed patroness demanded you scold my daughter from the pulpit." Mr. Bennet's disapproval seemed palpable.
"I am to preach on Paul's letter to the Corinthians. Citing Paul's admonishments to the Corinthians about obeying God. My sermon is to center on admonishing the women of the rectory to obey the head of the family, who is the husband." Mr. Collins explained to his father-by-marriage.
"Odd choice, considering tomorrow is the first Sunday of Advent. Mary went to the rectory today, so Mrs. Tucker could teach her how to create an Advent wreath. She took instructions on how to create the necessary candles for the Advent wreath. You should know, Mary is a kind young woman. Since her two and tenth birthday, she performed acts of kindness for our family members, staff and our tenant farmers. She never drew attention to her actions, nor expected thanks."
Mr. Collins' face betrayed his embarrassment.
"Tis not a problem," Mr. Bennet sipped his tea. "The First Letter to the Corinthians discusses how we relate to the world, even when the world does not share our values. Explain the world Mary and Joseph inhabited. Explain how Mary obeyed God and became with child. Explain how Joseph would have been within his rights to abandon Mary. Instead, he followed the word of God, and took Mary as his wife. Explain how one is always right and proper when they follow the word of God…even if they aren't sure of his plans for their life. Mary loaded your desk with paper, ink and quills. Perhaps you should pull on the set of sleeves she sewed to keep your shirtsleeves clean. Start now, there's plenty of time before dinner." Mr. Bennet reached for one of his books and began reading, planning to keep Mr. Collins company until dinner.
Mary provided a warm welcome home for Mr. Collins. After a wonderful roast chicken dinner with several sides, fresh bread and spoiled by apple cake, Mr. Collins and Mr. Bennet retired to his bookroom to enjoy port. Mr. Collins reworked his sermon to Mr. Bennet's satisfaction while Mary sewed in her sitting room. They joined Mary, who chatted for a few minutes and then bade both good night.
Mr. Manning set the bathing tub in an empty room near the kitchen to facilitate baths for the family this evening. Before she bathed, Mrs. Collins requested exceptionally hot water for Mr. Collins. She explained he would be sore after the hurried ride from London, no matter how well sprung Lady Catherine's carriage was. After he bathed and dressed, Manning and Hill prepared for Mr. Bennet to bathe. Mr. Manning and the staff appreciated not carrying pails of hot water up the stairs for baths.
Mr. Collins acted excessively pleased with the adjoining door to their rooms. His actions were quite silly and sent Mary into gales of laughter when he opened and closed the door several times. Mary warned Mr. Collins NOT to discuss the new door between their rooms. If he proved indiscreet, Mary threatened to keep the connecting door locked until the end of January. Collins blushed deeply. After brushing Mary's hair, he spent the night in her bed. She hoped she removed any doubt he had about her intentions to be a good wife.
~X~
Wickham felt distraught. After the Netherfield Ball, Miss King's uncle met with Wickham. Mr. King stated Miss King would use her dowry for a good marriage and situation…not throw herself away on a penniless militia officer. He forbade Wickham from calling on Miss King. Miss King's maid, enamored with Wickham, revealed Mr. King's plan to take Miss King to Bath until after Twelfth Night when they would remove to Liverpool.
Wickham had to compromise Mary King. He needed her £10,000 dowry to resolve his debts. After a quick marriage, and with her dowry in his pocket, he could leave Mary with her uncle. He would travel without being leg-shackled by a wife. He would purchase a higher commission in the militia, in addition to a batman, better drink, regular gambling and the occasional bits of muslin which passed his way.
Since he had been confined to the militia grounds, Wickham needed a plan. Colonel Flynn needed an aide in Bath while he recovered from war wounds. Wickham looked well in his regimentals and had pleasing manners. He could play cards, dance and sat a horse well for morning jaunts in the park. Yes, the Christmas season in Bath would suit. Wickham hastened to apply to Colonel Flynn. Wickham believed aiding the injured man would be easy. Wickham drew on his best manners learned while living at Pemberley.
Sunday
William woke while still in Mary's bed. Both slept through Barlow rousing the fire. They talked quietly while the room warmed.
"I know my failure to travel to Longbourn caused difficulties for you, but I am glad I didn't go. My courses were late. I had hoped I was with child. However, God planned differently." Mary revealed. "This is why I wanted to stay in our home."
William pulled her into his arms, laying his cheek against her hair. "I'm sorry Mary …but you must not keep news or secrets from me in the future."
"My disappointment is not a subject to discuss with Lady Catherine. I have reasons for things I do, William. I am not the kind of wife who vexes her husband deliberately for her own amusement. I wanted to plan a nursery for our child. Instead, I worked off my disappointment creating a clean, welcoming home for us," Mary kissed him gently. "We best prepare for our day."
Mr. Collins could not look at Lady Catherine as he delivered his Sunday sermon. He had rewritten the sermon, which should scold Mary, into an appropriate sermon for the First Sunday of Advent. Remembering Mary's warm welcome when he returned last evening…his voice warmed as he preached about Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Mr. Bennet sent Mr. Hill to the Hunsford Parsonage after the service. He would rouse fires. Mary led Mr. Bennet to Mr. Collins, so he could be introduced to the congregation. Miss Smithem played the pianoforte until the congregants departed. Sexton Tucker busied himself sharing coals and warm bricks for carriages and dousing the fire.
"Lady Catherine de Bourgh of Rosings Park, allow me to introduce Mrs. Collins' father, Mr. Thomas Bennet, of Longbourn in Hertfordshire. Miss Anne de Bourgh, Mr. Thomas Bennet." Mr. Collins bowed effusively to Lady Catherine and then to Miss Anne.
Mr. Bennet performed a perfectly appropriate bow to both, noting the irritation on Mr. Collins' face. Mr. Collins obviously expected Mr. Bennet to perform a bow worthy of presentation to the Prince Regent.
"Mrs. Collins, the advent wreath is lovely," Miss Anne complimented her.
"Thank you, Miss Anne. I will share your compliments with Mrs. Tucker, who taught me how to perform the task." Mary curtseyed to Miss Anne.
"Mr. Bennet, I am ever so pleased to meet you," Miss Anne acknowledged. "I have heard excellent things about you this week. I am pleased you came to Hunsford Parsonage to visit Mrs. Collins."
"It's been my pleasure to spend the week with my daughter. She will be unable to come to Rosings for music lessons tomorrow. We are having a farewell breakfast before I return to Longbourn. She has many letters for me to deliver to her sisters and dear Mama, in addition to messages for her Aunt and Uncle Phillips, and many friends, including Miss Charlotte Lucas, the daughter of Sir William Lucas." Mr. Bennet's eyes twinkled, and Mary knew why.
"Come along Anne," Lady Catherine snapped. "I'm sure the carriage cools while we stand here."
"May I escort you, Miss Anne?" Mr. Bennet offered his arm.
"Thank you, Mr. Bennet," she moved off with him.
Mary reached for the back of Mr. Collins' clerical robe and held him in place to say goodbye to the rest of the congregants instead of escorting Lady Catherine to her carriage. Curate Stevenson stepped forward to offer his arm to Lady Catherine, only to be waved off. She stalked off to her carriage without an escort, her cane thumping out her displeasure. Mr. Bennet waited to hand her into her carriage. Mr. Bennet returned to Mary's side for an introduction to Curate Stevenson. "I will meet you back at the parsonage." He walked toward Hunsford Parsonage.
"Shall we take a walk now?" Mr. Collins asked when everyone departed, and Curate Stevenson and Sexton Tucker prepared to secure the rectory.
"Is there something you need to tell me? Midday is prepared. The servants have the remainder of the day off. Custom dictates giving your servants a coin for a bowl of punch when happy events happen in your home," she explained. "Gentlemen customarily offer staff an afternoon off. After midday, Papa, you and I are the only ones in the house. Mr. Hill offered to take the Mannings, Rose and Barlow to their families after we finish our midday meal. Then he will return to pack Papa and him. He will keep the fires going and help serve dinner."
"Home then. We'll have a nice midday meal and talk."
The light and quiet conversation accompanied the midday meal. Mary pondered the topic for today's sermon. She had never heard Corinthians mixed with the Nativity before. The topic never arose during their midday repast. However, Mr. Collins referenced Mr. Bennet's bow to Lady Catherine.
"I'm sorry you deemed my bow as shallow. I keep my deepest bows for court presentation. Unfortunately, as I do not frequent St. James like Sir William, I am woefully out of practice. Neither Sir nor Lady Lucas expect deep bows from me." Mr. Bennet applied himself to the meal, despite his jests not appeasing Mr. Collins' pique.
When they finished a midday repast, Mary rang the bell for Mrs. Manning. "After you set the morning room and the kitchen to rights, you are dismissed for the remainder of the day. Mr. Hill offered to take the four of you to your families."
"Thank you, Mrs. Collins," she curtsied. "Mr. Manning laid fires in all the rooms and left extra firewood and coal near every fireplace. The fires are low in the bookroom and your sitting room. We will close the door to the attics so the cool air will not seep down the staircase. We will bank the kitchen fire before we depart. The four of us will return early tomorrow morning."
"Thank you." Mary wiped her mouth again and laid her serviette on the table. "Let's adjourn to my sitting room." She suggested to Mr. Collins and Mr. Bennet.
"You're very quiet," Mr. Collins roused the fire in Mary's sitting room. "Were you upset with today's sermon, considering the situation with the assizes?"
"Not at all," Mary assured him. "I've heard the Corinthians sermon and the beginning Nativity sermon before at St. Albans. However, I've never heard Corinthians referenced with the Nativity. I gather your interpretation of Corinthians with the Nativity upset Lady Catherine?"
"We've been invited to dinner on Thursday at Rosings." Mr. Collins observed Mary's serene face.
"For someone who is excessively attentive to details, I am surprised at Lady Catherine's invitation. Society expects two weeks' notice or more for all invitations." A censorious look crossed Mr. Bennet's face. Mr. Collins venerated his patroness too much. Mr. Bennet wanted to puncture Mr. Collins self-importance and her excessive ego.
Mary continued to sew. "Did you accept for us?"
"Of course," Mr. Collins acknowledged.
"Very well," she continued her task. "I will notify Mrs. Manning we are dining out Thursday evening. Custom dictates consulting one's wife before accepting invitations. I know you have not had gentleman's lessons, so I do not censure you. Let's discuss the sermons you plan for December."
"Lady Catherine usually suggests the topics and the Bible reference," Mr. Collins cautioned. "Although, I allow the travel to London caused both of us to forget the beginning of Advent."
"Did you pick your own topics when you were at Oxford?" Mr. Bennet wondered at the depth of Mr. Collins' education.
"More than half the time," Mr. Collins admitted.
"Well, three of my favorite topics for the Christmas season have been God's messengers, i.e. angels, the coming of the Prince of Peace, and gifts and the giver." Mary recalled. "Of course, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day sermons were about the Nativity. The Prince of Peace sermon always discussed the current war, offered prayers for the soldiers and sailors, and discussed some of the larger tenant issues which affected the entire community. Gifts and the giver was the topic to urge people to give to the poor and needy in this time of God's blessing."
"One more time, dearest Mary," Mr. Collins went to Mary's escritoire to write the topics. Mr. Bennet joined the conversation and recommended biblical references for each. Before tea time, Mr. Collins had outlined the topics on separate pieces of paper to share with Lady Catherine.
"One year, during a particularly unsettling period in the community when so many of the young men joined the army or navy, Vicar Nelson spent six months discussing important battles from the Bible. Each week, beginning in January, he preached about important battles from Genesis to Revelations. Each Sunday, he gave us the biblical references for the next week, so we could read and study at our leisure. He urged families to share if they received news from a loved one gone off to war." Mr. Bennet paused. "Then Vicar Nelson preached on angels from the Bible from Genesis to Revelations. That topic carried us from July to December."
They discussed great series of sermons Mr. Collins heard while at Oxford. They talked about how he planned to lead the rectory council and the deacons board. They talked about the benefice society and providing an excellent example to the women of the community and rectory. Mary explained the importance of teaching the parsonage staff how to read, write and calculate sums. Mr. Collins approved. He felt their staff should set an example by being able to read and study the Bible.
Tea brought all hands to the kitchen. Hill brought water which Mary heated for tea while laying the table. Mr. Bennet and Mr. Collins found cheese, and an apple pie left by Mrs. Manning.
They decided to eat supper in the warm kitchen, rather than rousing the fire in the morning room. Mrs. Manning left a cauldron of potato stew made with potatoes, onions, celery, milk, cheese and bits of ham for dinner. She left a loaf of tavern bread, and another apple pie. Mr. Bennet read the paper aloud while Mary prepared their supper and set the kitchen to rights. Mr. Hill would rouse the fires in their sleeping rooms about an hour before they retired and would help Mary prepare hot water for each of them. They agreed to have an early night.
Monday
After a hot breakfast, Mary bid Papa goodbye. She didn't understand the tears threatening her composure. Even Mr. Collins seemed to regret losing his company. After his carriage pulled out of sight, Mary applied herself to tasks which needed to be done. She finished copying the rectory directory and the cemetery catalogue.
Mrs. Manning took the bed and bath linens from Mr. Bennet and Mr. Hill down to Maryanne. She had quite a pile of bed linens, worn drapes and dirty cleaning rags. Tomorrow Maryanne would collect dirty clothes before going to the laundry outbuilding. Mary appreciated hiring a steady worker like Maryanne.
Mrs. Manning came to Mary's sitting room to discuss the house and menus with her. Her menus offered simple fare except for Saturday evening dinners. Mary explained Lady Catherine extended a dinner invitation for Thursday. Staff would be free for the evening while the Collinses were gone. "Mrs. Collins, I saw the material scraps you brought with you from London. I know you have things to sew. I wondered if there were materials and bits of trim you might not use which I could have for sewing lessons for Barlow and Rose."
"What are you teaching them?" Mary asked.
"Rose has a little sister, Ivy. Rose would like to make her a rag doll. She hasn't the skill for that. I thought I would teach her how to embroider the face. Then I can assemble the doll. I can teach her how to make clothes for the doll, as they are mostly simple straight seams. Both girls are capable of sewing straight seams. They haven't had embroidery lessons, and without practice they can't turn a fine stitch. I am teaching both of them how to make simple sachets for their mothers, and for Barlow's three younger sisters. Maryanne is an excellent seamstress, but she lacks time to teach sewing."
"These are my material and trim bits," Mary gave her a small basket of ironed pieces of material and trim. "Please don't use the pink pieces I set aside. I plan to use them to make rose sachets for when my sister Kitty visits in the spring. Please put the unused materials and trims back in my armoire when you are finished. If you will teach the girls to make the sachets, I have dried rose petals or lavender petals for the sachets in my stillroom. I can teach the girls about drying flowers and how to use the petals in candles, soaps, sachets, etc. Do the girls have workboxes?"
"No, they both used their mother's workboxes when they were at home," Mrs. Manning accepted Mary's scrap basket.
"I have two rectangular market baskets in the stillroom on the shelves by the door. They are a bit worn, so I am not comfortable using them for marketing. They would make excellent sewing baskets for the girls. If you do not have extra sewing items, I will give you coin to acquire them from the village. Sewing is a useful skill which the girls should have." Mary paused. "In the spring I will have my aunt bring materials and thread for teaching Barlow and Rose to stitch a sampler."
Tuesday
Mary quietly passed by the door to the book room. Mr. Collins' hands were still, his eyes roving over what he just wrote. A Bible and two other reference books were open. She sighed quietly to herself. She hoped the discussion of sermons with Papa would result in more concise and less rambling sermons from Mr. Collins.
Mary slipped out the back door to Rosings to play pianoforte for Miss Anne. Criticism from Lady Catherine was unceasing this morning. Mary learned her expected practice time at Rosings would be from half ten to half twelve. She learned she should arrive at Rosings fifteen minutes in advance to be admitted, have her redingote and bonnet taken and be shown to Mrs. Haven's sitting room. She would begin practice when Mrs. Jenkinson returned with Miss Anne at half ten when they finished breakfast. Lady Catherine opined the changed schedule would not be a problem for someone who knew how to conduct her household.
At the end of the practice session and teaching a set of scales for Miss Anne to practice, Mary prepared to take her leave. She felt a letter slipped between her music sheets. She did not know who, what, or why…but the letter had been hidden by someone who did not want to be discovered. She bade Miss Anne and Mrs. Jenkinson good day and walked home. Alone in her sitting room, she opened the letter:
Rosings Park, Kent
Dear Mrs. Collins,
Please do not reveal the possession or contents of this letter to Mr. Collins. Mother has been a house cat with a dish of cream since returning from the assizes. Yesterday I overheard her directives to Mrs. Jenkinson to alert her if you discuss the St. Thomas Tea with me. Our previous vicar and his wife held a St. Thomas Tea for the last five years. His widowed sister lived in Westerham before she moved to Bristol to live with another sister. When the vicar's wife died, he moved to Bristol to live with his two sisters.
Monday morning, Mother ordered a footman to hand deliver six and thirty invitations to widows of Rosings, Hunsford Rectory, and Hunsford proper. They are invited to tea on December one and twentieth at the Hunsford Parsonage at one. You are expected to provide tea, refreshments, and entertainment for the widows. Additionally, you are expected to provide a market-sized basket of food and a pound coin to each widow.
As for entertainment, the previous vicar moved the rectory pianoforte to the parsonage for the day to entertain the ladies. I know several of them are accomplished on the pianoforte and may take their turns at entertaining.
As I think of you as a friend, I cannot let Mother arrange for you to be mortified by not being prepared. I cannot address the hubris of Mother inviting people into your home. Enclosed are four bank drafts. I'm paying for this event; however, my involvement must remain anonymous. I'm enclosing a suggested list of the foodstuffs to pack into forty baskets. (In case Mother forgot to invite someone or if there are new widows between now and the day of the event.) You will not be mortified by the sudden appearance of six and thirty women who expect tea, refreshments and gift.
You should contact your aunt in London, with an order of items you need. I worry about you buying what you need in Hunsford and Westerham for fear someone will report your actions to Mother.
If you need anything – additional funds or someone to share the decisions – please contact me. I do not need to remind you to hide this letter from curious eyes.
Sincerely,
Anne de Bourgh
Mary hid the letters and funds in her personal lockbox in her desk and rang for Mrs. Manning. "Please tell me about the St. Thomas Tea."
Mrs. Manning paled. "The previous vicar and his wife planned and conducted the event. Are you being pressured by Lady Catherine to hold the event this year?"
"Invitations for a St. Thomas Tea have been delivered to six and thirty widows. We are not supposed to know. We are supposed to mortified because we are not prepared. You and I cannot discuss this with anyone, especially where Maryanne can hear. We share her time with Rosings and I do not wish to share too much information. I'm glad we just reorganized the parsonage with a deep cleaning. There is not as much to scrub up and polish down. I must send an express for supplies to my uncle in London. No one can know our preparations. Do you know why I displeased my husband's patroness? For surely, I have displeased her if she is willing to do a dirty turn to me."
"You are more accomplished than Lady Catherine anticipated. She heard you never had a governess. As one of five daughters, she thought you would be ignorant and grateful for Mr. Collins' offer of marriage. She did not anticipate him marrying you before she met you. She anticipated you would appreciate her instructions for your lives." Mrs. Manning did not say everyone expected silly Mr. Collins to bring home an equally silly wife. Mrs. Collins surprised the community members.
"Because I am more educated and accomplished than she planned, Lady Catherine is eager to embarrass me? Because I do not need her to instruct me how to run a house, balance my accounts, pour tea or exhibit thrift and economy…I am to be publicly embarrassed before our parishioners and her tenants? First the post coach, and now this." Mary needed to work off her irritation with Mr. Collins' patroness. She shared her new daily schedule with Mrs. Manning. Breakfast moved to half nine. If Mr. Collins complained…he would learn the time change was an edict from Lady Catherine.
"That is the long and short of it. Let me see the list of items to put in the baskets. You start writing your letter and I will make necessary changes to the list." Mrs. Manning took pencil and the list.
"Changes?" Now Mary worried about changing Miss Anne's plans.
"We can't put anything fresh in the baskets – meats, poultry, cheeses, eggs, milk – because we can't purchase the amount we need without giving ourselves away. I recommend we do not discuss this while Mr. Collins is present in the parsonage. We do not want information relayed to Rosings. Ask Mr. Gardiner to deliver the goods to Hunsford Inn to Mr. Talfort's attention. Mr. Manning will ask him to discreetly deliver to us when Mr. Collins is out of the house." When they finished with the list, Mrs. Manning departed to bring Mary a midday tray and pot of tea.
'I cannot be dependent on Lady Catherine's good will when she criticizes me constantly and is offended when I don't act immediately on her endless, unsolicited advice. Perhaps I have no tolerance for her nonsense because I ignored Mother for years. I have difficulty not admonishing Mr. Collins when he acts like Lady Catherine utters the word of God.'
Mary reached for the basket of odd pieces of materials, lace and ribbons she brought with her from London. Mr. Gardiner allowed her to buy out his scrap bin. She sorted pieces into piles by item and then by size. She didn't have enough material to make muslin bags to hold items in forty baskets. However, she had enough pieces to make sachets for the widow's baskets and alms bags. She added a small bolt of good, tightly woven, plain muslin to her list of things to purchase along with a small bolt of thin white cotton ribbon to tie up bags. She requested a lockbox with forty £1 coins. She apologized because she believed her uncle needed a few bank trips to accomplish that task. Mary tucked Miss Anne's bank drafts in her letter, folding, sealing, and writing the directions to Mr. Edward Gardiner, 12 Gracechurch Street, Cheapside, London. She rang for Mr. Manning, asking the letter be sent express. She began sewing for the tea baskets.
Wednesday
Mary donned her warmest work clothes. She planned to rake the leaves from the orchard and use them as a bed for the compost pile. She would need the compost pile in the spring. The trees in the orchard needed pruned. Someone took the time at harvest to wrap worn, frayed ribbons around branches which did not produce. Physical activity would help settle her mind. If she sat and sewed, her thoughts would prey on her. She would not let Mr. Collins know Miss Anne and her plans for the St. Thomas Tea. She would work until half nine, wash, dress, eat a quick repast and walk to Rosings for the daily pianoforte practice. She planned to practice Christmas music for the rest of the month. Constant repetitive playing of Greensleeves would allow her to have quiet, uninterrupted conversations with Miss Anne.
~X~
Mary played Greensleeves three times before boredom sent Mrs. Jenkinson to Miss Anne's room with half a dozen cast off shawls.
"How are you doing?" Miss Anne moved to the pianoforte bench with Mary.
"I placed an order by express yesterday." Mary practiced a set of scales, while they talked. She listed what she ordered; Miss Anne had no objections. "My uncle will spend what I sent and will send paid bills and an invoice if he needs more funds. I asked him to send the goods to Mr. Talfort a fortnight before the event so the parsonage staff and I can assemble baskets."
Miss Anne practiced the scales. "I can't send anyone to help, and you need to keep the parsonage staff quiet about our endeavor."
"Mrs. Manning and I discussed this. We'll be ready and will not reveal our secret." Mary heard a light noise in the hall. "Practice those scales for an hour." Mary moved the scale sheet to the music holder and moved Greensleeves to the top of the pianoforte.
Thursday
Dinner proved to be another display of Lady Catherine's excess. Lady Catherine invited Mr. Knowles to dine also. Six of them dined at a table large enough for twelve, in a room large enough for four and twenty, attended by the butler and three footmen. Lady Catherine sat at one end, Miss Anne beside her. Mr. Knowles sat at the other end, with Mr. Collins seated next to him. Mrs. Jenkinson and Mary sat across from one another at the middle of the table.
Mary silently sighed. Yes, the table had been handsomely laid with excessive articles of plate as Mr. Collins anticipated. While Mr. Knowles carved the meats, nothing diminished Mr. Collins' delight at the invitation to dine with the great lady. Mr. Collins remarked favorably on every dish which numbered thirty in three courses. His praises for the room, the table, the wine and the food were only outnumbered by the pieces of silver plate on the table.
Mary watched as the footmen began serving Lady Catherine, and worked their way around the table, which meant serving Mary last. She should have been served before a companion. The unexpressed message indicated Lady Catherine considered Mary to be the lowest of the guests at the table. Perhaps the seating demonstrated propriety for entertaining in London, but Mother would never have seated guests alone in the middle of the table with no conversation. Mary could not converse across the table to Mrs. Jenkinson, nor shout up the table to Miss Anne, nor down the table to her husband. Once again in her life, she felt ignored and silent.
Dinner opened with veal consume served with hot rolls and butter, salmon cutlets with capers and parsley, oyster patties, and seafood mayonnaise. Those dishes were removed for rich meat dishes and extravagant garden stuff sides, with a tart jelly and a sweet jelly. Mary ate lightly. If she indulged, she would have indigestion all night. She anticipated Mr. Collins enjoying his food now…and ruing his excess later.
"Mrs. Collins," Lady Catherine addressed her during dinner. "Mr. Knowles tells me you have been working in the orchard at the parsonage in the mornings before you give Anne pianoforte lessons."
"Indeed, I have been," Mary affirmed. "I need the leaves from the orchard to start a compost pile for amending the garden soil in the spring."
"Awake and working before breakfast like a common laborer?" Lady Catherine tittered. "I must speak with you, Mr. Collins, about your wife's accomplishments which embarrass the parsonage."
"Did I misunderstand? You ordered Mr. Collins to marry an industrious woman, not borne too low or bred too high. I enjoy gardening in the early hours of the morning. I find the quiet and solitude most conducive to reflecting on God's plan for my life. I find contentment in providing for my family and staff through my hard work. I find joy in donating the excess harvest to the poor." Mary enjoyed the out-of-season asparagus.
"Once you finish in your orchard, you may start cataloging the cemetery. Mr. Collins will need a list of the headstones which need repair, and work to be done." Lady Catherine directed her footmen to circulate the table with wine and dishes. She addressed Mary but did not look at her.
"What a wonderful spring project, led by Sexton Tucker, for the benefice society. Alas, I cannot begin the cemetery task until spring, after planting the kitchen and herb gardens, setting my hens, penning the pigs, and placing my beehives." Mary caught a frown on Mr. Collins' face. If he had been closer, he might have kicked her under the table.
"I really must insist you begin now. People who visit their families at Christmas may want to lay a wreath on an ancestor's grave. Cataloging the cemetery will enable them to find graves easier." Lady Catherine's comments did not sweeten with the circulation of the jellies.
"I understand the need, but alas, my time is spoken for until spring. We must rely on the current cemetery catalogue. When I cleaned the parsonage, I found a copy in Mr. Collins' bookroom. The previous vicar updated the copies before he left Hunsford Rectory last December. His notes stated he wanted the catalogue available for inquiries over Christmas."
"I'm sure you're mistaken," Lady Catherine strident voice would make any person give way. However, Mary Bennet Collins was not any person. "Vicar Hogan would have informed me about the lists."
Mary's back stiffened and her chin took on Lizzy's look of stubbornness. "Oh no, ma'am. Papa rearranged Mr. Collins' bookroom, and catalogued the books and pamphlets. He rearranged the shelves by author and title of the book or pamphlet. The alphabetical addendum to the cemetery catalogue impressed Papa so much, he plans to share the addendum with his church. He remarked he planned to create one to find graves easier at St. Albans, our family church in Meryton. I distinctly remember placing the addendum in the bottom drawer of Mr. Collins' desk, with a directory of the rectory members, a directory of the rectory council members and a directory of the deacons board members." Mary did not mention she created copies of all.
"I understand you serve a roast chicken dinner with several sides and apple cake on Saturdays, Mrs. Collins." Lady Catherine commented. "I understand your staff enjoys the same meal. Do not treat your servants thus, for they shall expect such largess from future masters and positions. You must maintain distinction of rank. Since you do not understand thrift and economy as being necessary to running a household, I will review your personal ledger and your household ledger. I will guide you to proper thrift and economy."
"Mr. Collins prefers roast chicken, three sides of garden stuff, hot rolls and apple cake or pie on Saturdays. Mr. Collins failed to inform you our chicken dinners serve the parsonage for more than one meal. The remaining chicken and sides are diced well and made into pasties which are midday meal Sunday and Monday for us and our staff. The bones are boiled to make bone broth, which is served with the pasties on Sunday. The apple cake serves us Saturday night, and breakfast on Sunday. Hence, thrift and economy. I would not presume to impose the needs of my station on someone of your exalted position." Mary sipped her wine. She tasted better at Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner's home. She would not use anything this foul to make medicines either.
'The three £800 chimney pieces you adore could provide a yearly living for four and twenty families! Imagine being in a position to enhance the lives of four and twenty families. That is a rich legacy to be sure. Instead, Lady Catherine leaves them to struggle and offers criticism of domestic frugality.' Mary kept her thoughts on Lady Catherine's expensive and frivolous lifestyle to herself. Papa examined her ledgers to ensure she kept the ledgers properly. He never discussed her funds with anyone but herself. He was pleased at the household funds she still had available after supplying the parsonage. He was impressed with the amount of pin money she still had available after supplying her needs for the next six months. Mary knew to find a secure hiding place for her ledgers. Mr. Collins might be ordered to bring them to Lady Catherine. She would put her ledgers down the privy before she allowed Lady Catherine to view and critique how she spent her funds.
Lady Catherine turned to Mr. Knowles and asked invasive questions before offering her opinion about the issues of his life. She didn't ask about her tenants or farms. She only inopportuned him regarding the health and occupation of his six sons. He explained his wife's marriage settlement provided for Curate Stevenson to tutor all six boys. The marriage settlement would purchase military commissions or an education in law, medicine or the church for his sons. Lady Catherine had a great deal to say about how he should not be expected to educate and advance all six sons. Some of them should be pleased to work for tenant farmers. The oldest should apprentice with him and learn how to be a steward. A hands-on education where the person worked to gain knowledge, opined Lady Catherine, outshone spending funds to educate a person.
Mary remained silent. Lady Catherine criticized the education provided by Papa. Mary learned hands-on, through experience, or education driven by her interests.
Lady Catherine cast disdainful looks at Mary from time to time, but never spoke to her again during dinner. The second course repeated the heavy first course, sans removes. Three fresh fruits in a silver-plate epergne, a tray of cheeses, and four sweets followed the second course. Mary offered her praise of the delicious chocolate roly poly filled with orange marmalade, garnished with sweet, whipped cream and orange zest. Mary ate a small portion of the peach and custard tart, a spice Madeleine, and thin slice of apple nut pound cake. Mary carefully sipped her sweet dessert wine. She would not drink too much and incur criticism from Lady Catherine.
"Mrs. Collins, I left a stack of music on the pianoforte for you to play for us." Lady Catherine selected complex pieces which Mary handled adeptly but unemotionally. Miss Anne and Mr. Knowles offered to turn pages for her while Mr. Collins lavishly praised Lady Catherine's excellent dinner arrangements, and the after-dinner brandy she offered to the men. Since neither Mr. Knowles nor Mr. Collins enjoyed a post dinner cigar, she did not allow them to separate from the ladies. After all, how could Lady Catherine have her share of their conversation if the men remained in the dining room while the ladies withdrew to the drawing room?
While turning the pages, Miss Anne recommended Mary copy the lists in Mr. Collins' bookroom. Since everyone knew the location of the information, a copy was necessary. "Already done," Mary assured her. Lady Catherine instructed Mr. Knowles to turn pages for Mrs. Collins. The double doors from the drawing room into the music room were left open to facilitate the guests hearing the musical entertainment.
"I didn't tell her about the leaves," Mr. Knowles explained when he turned the pages for Mary. "You were seen by servants at Rosings who reported to her. I just confirmed you raked in the orchard. I have taken care of the problem…not just Rosings staff reporting what you are doing…but also the leaves. I have assigned half a dozen workers to your orchard. They will prune the orchard after raking the leaves."
"Perhaps we should find a new person to teach you pianoforte Anne. Perhaps someone with more innate talent and abilities than Mrs. Collins," Lady Catherine suggested. "You should be more proficient after a decade of lessons. Perhaps you have not used your practice time to the best of your abilities. My niece, Georgiana Darcy, is very accomplished on the pianoforte, because her brother, Fitzwilliam Darcy, ensured she had music masters. She also had an accomplished governess, art masters and French masters."
"I've learned less than Mrs. Collins and had governesses and masters," Miss Anne retorted.
"You were sick. Besides, you do not need accomplishments to become mistress of Pemberley. You have a dowry and connections to peers." Lady Catherine snapped.
"If Mrs. Collins is not talented enough to teach me, perhaps I will hire a music master to give me lessons. My music master should be paid to play for the rectory, provide entertainment for your dinners, and teach pianoforte lessons. They should be adept at harp and voice instruction. Perhaps Aunt Constance can recommend music, art, and French masters," Miss Anne suggested. Amazingly, the topic faded away.
"I have thought about this a great deal," Lady Catherine addressed Mary as she prepared to leave with Mr. Collins. "If you plan to provide music lessons for Anne while practicing the pianoforte daily, I must insist you refuse any dinner invitations and refrain from hosting any dinners at the parsonage. I cannot allow you to socialize with someone who is ill and then share those germs with Anne. I understand your mother and sisters were ill, which is why Mr. Bennet came to Hunsford Parsonage instead of allowing you to return to Longbourn. You will not endanger my daughter's health."
"Of course, your ladyship," Mr. Collins bowed to her. "I have often felt excessive socializing not only leads to compromising one's connections in addition to…."
Mary tuned him out. 'So, no dinner invitations except to Rosings…but Lady Catherine arranged the tea for widows. Is Mr. Collins expected to stop visiting the sick and dying? How do I take baskets of food to the needy, the sick, the infirm? Am I not to encourage weekly or twice monthly meetings of the benefice society? Is Mr. Collins to stop greeting or saying goodbye to parishioners on Sunday mornings? How deep does this directive impact our life?'
"Mary…" Mr. Collins said impatiently. "You are not attending! Lady Catherine bid us good evening."
"I am all apologies," Mary executed a proper curtsey…not too shallow and not too deep. "My thoughts centered on Christmas music to teach Miss Anne. Thank you for a pleasant evening." She stood quietly, not fidgeting, for the additional five minutes Mr. Collins took to say good evening to his patroness. 'Yes, the warmed carriage arranged for us will have cooled before Lady Catherine allows us to leave. Think kindly, there is a carriage to convey you, instead of walking home in the dark and cold.'
Friday
The Rosings workers raked the remaining leaves from the orchard at the parsonage and the lawn at the rectory. They raked leaves which blew across the garden area from the grove separating Hunsford Parsonage from Rosings Park. They put the leaves in the compost pile which had been started when the outbuildings were cleaned. Workers returned to the orchard and pruned the trees. They stored the pruned limbs in a pile in the stables to dry for next year.
Tomorrow they would rake any leaves on the acreage behind the outbuildings. Monday they would rake the leaves along the riverbank which delineated the south border of the rectory and the parsonage. Any downed limbs would go to the stable at the Collinses to dry. Tuesday, a dozen men were to rake the riverbank at Rosings, the grove and any forests at Rosings. The Rosings gardeners wanted the leaves to boost their compost piles and the park manager wanted the downed limbs removed so guests and animals could roam freely.
Mary appreciated the outside help because she needed to keep sewing for the St. Thomas Tea. Additionally, when Lady Catherine sent spies to see if Mary raked in the orchard… they would have nothing to report.
~X~
"No dinner guests?" Mrs. Manning inquired. "Is this a reflection on my cooking, Mrs. Collins?" 'Mrs. Havens sent baskets of food to feed the workers while we rearranged and cleaned, and for the six workers today, but Mr. Bennet enjoyed my cooking.'
"No, Lady Catherine does not wish us to entertain anyone who might sicken us, which might sicken Miss Anne. No entertaining here or attending entertainment other than tea or dinner at Rosings." Mary considered the St. Thomas Tea.
'If you consider Rosings to be entertaining,' Mrs. Manning thought. "It's not my business, Mrs. Collins, but it's awkward for Curate Stevenson to call on the sick and infirm widows. Sexton and Mrs. Tucker must make calls on the widows."
"We cannot change the edict. We will be generous with baskets from Rosings for the additional work which Curate Stevenson and the Tuckers perform. Thank you for understanding about our changed schedule for breakfast. I cannot be late to Rosings, even if my pianoforte abilities are only tolerable."
Mrs. Manning observed the updated menu slate from Mrs. Collins. "Are you sure, Mrs. Collins?"
"I have not made a mistake in my menu planning. I would like Mr. Manning to serve next Saturday evening. Lady Catherine heard about our Saturday dinners and lectured me on the excess, not just for us, but for our staff. I deem this a sensible answer to the problem. I anticipate one Saturday will provide the lesson." Mary exchanged a serene smile with Mrs. Manning.
~X~
"Delicious smelling stew," Mr. Collins reached for the ladle to help himself.
"Mrs. Manning prepared duck stew with mushrooms, onions, carrots and celery. I like mine over cooked sweet potatoes." Mary helped herself to potatoes first, and then ladled a helping of stew on top. "Mrs. Manning made hot rolls."
Mr. Collins poured wine.
"You don't mind soups or stews on nights when we have no company?" Mary's question had a reason…which Mr. Collins would learn later.
"Everything prepared for me has been delicious, Mary." Mr. Collins praised her. "I don't care for rabbit, tongue or sweetbreads. I'm very fond of apple desserts. I thank you for serving roasted chicken on Saturdays. I think a house smells wondrous with the odor of roast chicken."
"I can't wait for spring, so we can raise chickens for our Saturday dinners." Mary opined. "I believe there is plenty of room in the poultry coops and runs."
"Perhaps this ban on entertaining will allow me some much-needed reading time. For as much as I enjoy being a vicar at Hunsford Rectory, my days are never free of parishioners needing spiritual guidance and help. You will find we are quite overrun some days at the parsonage, Mrs. Collins."
"Excellent plan," Mary murmured. 'Overrun is not a word I would use. I suggest the parishioners avoid us as you bow and scrape to Lady Catherine.' She planned to use their evenings when they attended nothing and hosted no dinners to teach Mr. Collins to be a gentleman.
~X~
Longbourn, Hertfordshire
Dear Mary,
Everyone is in health. Thank you for asking. While Papa spends time in his library before breakfast and after dinner, he is also active. He rides out on sunny days. Papa has taken to locking the knocker in the safe when he is not in the house and when he avoids visitors. The militia have been less free to make calls since the Netherfield Ball.
Papa teaches Kitty to manage the Longbourn accounts. He struggles to keep Lydia and her ledger current. I believe Papa taught Jane, you and me to handle the Longbourn accounts because each time he views them with Mama, it ends in a heated discussion. She believes every pence he does not allow her to spend on gowns, laces or setting a fine table is spent on Longbourn for the good of the entail.
You would think your marriage, which keeps all of us from starving in the hedgerows, would diminish some of Mama's nerves. Mama rang a peal over Jane because Mr. Bingley left and shows no sign of returning. When Mr. Collins inherits, if none of us are wed, Mama claims there will still seven of us and £2000 pounds. Papa reminded Mama that she and her unwed daughters will live on the per annum of Mama's marriage settlement. She did not consider we girls lose our four percents while she has jointure funds. She was quite vexed when Papa stated Mr. Collins is not required to keep any of us in ribbons and laces! Mama opines she does not know how we can possibly live on £200 per annum! She declares she cannot live without a chaise and four. She currently does not have one of her own, but considers she needs one in her dotage.
Mama constantly asks Papa about your pin money and marriage settlement (which he will not reveal). Papa has not told her about your codicils in the marriage articles. He is proud to compare her attempts at excessive spending to your thrift and economy.
You can only imagine the flutterings and flappings of handkerchiefs. You can only imagine the nerves, headaches and spasms Mama endures! She frets because Mr. Collins will take Papa's place as the head of the family, and you will take her place. Papa reminds Mama he might outlive her and to please cease pondering how much a bolt of black crepe will cost should he pass. He asks her not to pin her hopes on Mr. Collins providing a comfortable home for her and any unmarried daughters. He claims Uncle Gardiner will not provide all the black materials and accessories we will need. Uncle Phillips will not pay the modiste to create new black wardrobes for all of us. He suggests Mama save her farthings now to buy black dye later. Such comments amuse Papa …but Jane must nurse Mama…and we must endure the nerves!
Thank you for the receipts for Mama's restorative broth, medicinal sherry and medicinal teas. Papa hired Sarah to work in the stillroom. Emma Freelander is our new maid-of-all-things. Sarah endeavors to teach us how to run the stillroom. We are low on lavender water, which is my task for tomorrow with Sarah. Thank you for teaching Kitty how to make blue hyssop syrup. You know she coughs more in the fall and winter. The syrup helps.
Aunt Phillips misses you greatly. She moans about the lack of musical entertainment during her card parties. Jane, Kitty and I each know two lively songs which we play well. I remembered your comment about practicing dirges when Mama scolds me. I am pleased to say Mr. Beethoven and I will never be friends…but we have a greater acquaintance with one another. Mama fretted you took all the music sheets when you left…until Jane explained you copied music sheets for Longbourn each time you acquired a new broad sheet.
As Mama will not call Lydia to task for her liveliness…Papa has. Due to Lydia's 'borrowing' things from us for the Netherfield Ball, she is banned from all entertainments and amusements until after Twelfth Night. Her incessant moaning and wails give me a headache! Lydia is only allowed to walk to Meryton to take French and drawing lessons from Aunt Phillips. Jane must accompany her. I am required to accompany Kitty. Papa has us on a strict schedule. There is no time for Lydia to shop for ribbons or greet officers on the streets. Jane and I must accompany one another on Fridays when calling on tenants, and we must use the one-horse gig. I am not allowed to walk out alone unless it is for a turn in our park and gardens. Papa agrees with Sir William, saying it is unsafe for any of us to walk alone because of the ever present militia.
Kitty has surprised me. She is quite good company! We help Mrs. Hill in the kitchen. We help Sarah in the stillroom. Papa holds lessons for both Kitty and me. She does not like reading as well as you or me, but she is knowledgeable about illustrations in books. She can look at illustrations and tell exactly what is happening in a novel. Her drawings are so much better than mine. I can draw landscapes and still life…but Kitty can draw those and the human form. She is talented at recreating sketches from fashion magazines.
I have written enough for now…and apologize for airing my feelings about Mama and Lydia…but they vex me.
I miss you, Mary. Kitty says to say thank you for her room. She is so happy with her own room, which she locks when she steps away from the room. She keeps the key on a pink ribbon which she hangs around her neck, tucks in a pocket, or hides in her reticule when we go to Meryton.
Love, your sister,
Lizzy
Saturday, December 12
"Stew for dinner?" Mr. Collins frowned at the hearty beef stew, with brown bread, and a simple pudding for dessert. He helped himself to stew and bread, frowning at his plate.
Mary sat at the other end of the table, opposite Mr. Collins, instead of sitting next to him as she usually did when they were alone. Mr. Manning, dressed in his Sunday best, brought the soup tureen to Mary so she could help herself. He returned the tureen to the top of the table before Mr. Collins and brought the bread to Mary. Then he quietly departed the morning room.
"Are you disappointed with your meal?" Mary cut the slice of bread into quarters and buttered it.
"Mrs. Manning makes very good stew," Mr. Collins' solemn face studied the table. "However…"
"However, you are accustomed to roast chicken for Saturday dinner," Mary completed his sentence. "I am disappointed also. I am disappointed because my husband's patroness lectured me about my menus at an ostentatious dinner served at Rosings Park. I suppose if one has twelve footmen, six crested carriages, four and sixty glazed windows and three £800 chimney pieces, and a well-turned central staircase…there is no need to practice thrift and economy."
Mr. Collins stopped eating, his spoon halfway between his plate and his mouth. "Lady Catherine asked about the quality of my reception when I returned from the assizes. I explained we had a lovely dinner with your father. She asked if we offered excellent meals for your father. I explained we ate soups and stews with hot rolls for dinner on weeknights, with a roast chicken dinner on Saturdays. She approved the simplicity of our meals." Mr. Collins defended his conversation with Lady Catherine.
"I was not aware Lady Catherine approved of the menus at the parsonage.I was not aware Lady Catherine approved or prohibited our social life. I was not aware Lady Catherine expected to train me to manage my accounts, or my house. I was unaware my husband felt it necessary to venerate his patroness to the point of demeaning his wife. If I had known these things, I might have made other choices for my life and future happiness." Mary sipped her wine. "As the lady of the house, all future inquiries regarding our life at the parsonage will be addressed to me. You are unaware of how Mrs. Manning and I set menus to ensure the best use of food stuffs at the parsonage. Since I exhibit thrift and economy, Mr. Collins, am I allowed to feed you roast chicken and apple cake dinners on Saturday? Am I allowed to supervise and provide for my staff without interference from your patroness?"
"Lady Catherine said you turned down her invitation to Christmas dinner. She insists we attend dinner at Rosings on Christmas Day." Mr. Collins did not want to disappoint his patroness or antagonize his wife.
"Mrs. Manning explained it is customary for the parsonage to be open to the community on Christmas and Easter. The community will visit us from after Christmas services to three o'clock. We are expected to provide refreshments and entertainment." Mary buttered her bread.
"We can't do that!" Mr. Collins protested. "We can't socialize and endanger Miss Anne's health."
"We must discuss this. Foremost, I do not understand why Hunsford Parsonage is hosting the community when it should be the responsibility of Rosings Park to host on Christmas and Easter. Will Curate Stevenson call on the sick and dying? How will you conduct funerals? How will you greet or say goodbye to everyone at rectory on Sundays? How will we conduct the benefice society, the rectory council meetings and the deacons board meetings? How will you distribute alms and food baskets on Boxing Day? How am I to visit the shops and purchase needed items for our home? Lady Catherine said no attending or hosting dinners. She did not demand we live in seclusion. She did not demand our staff avoid visiting their families, so they don't bring illnesses to us."
A very shocked Mr. Collins appeared speechless.
Mary continued. "Christmas is our first holiday together as husband and wife. I planned a special dinner for the two of us before we attend Christmas Eve services. You are expected to conduct special services Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. We will be exhausted when the community members depart Christmas Day. I anticipate we will need an early night after hosting 300 people during the day. Additionally, we are by ourselves on Boxing Day."
"What do we have planned for Boxing Day?" Mr. Collins frowned at his suddenly empty plate, which would only be filled with beef stew and brown bread.
"You must meet with the deacons about the alms box this week. We need to know how many families will receive alms. We need to know where the baskets are kept for filling and giving to the families. Mrs. Manning expects we will have a fund from the rectory for purchasing items to fill the baskets, although she says the Rosings kitchen staff will send excess to us every day the week before Christmas. Mr. Manning said you will deliver baskets with Mr. Knowles on Boxing Day. After you return, we have the rest of the Boxing Day with one another. Our staff will work Christmas, but be gone all of Boxing Day to celebrate with their families."
Mary didn't have practiced arts and allurements, but she set a good table and kept a good home which included a connecting door between their sleeping chambers. She hoped the lesson of stew for dinner would train Mr. Collins to appreciate his wife's efforts at thrift and economy. She knew how to exceed her household funds from watching how Mother set her menus and entertained lavishly. Mary also recognized Lady Catherine's attempts to run their lives. She was determined not to give way to her Mother after Papa's death. Ignoring Mother's vapors and tears was easier than ignoring Lady Catherine.