Hello everyone, I hope you had a good weekend!
here is another chapter in the animal tales! hope you will enjoy this one :)
People always assumed cats do not care about others, and to be fair, most of the time, they do!
But there are some cases where a cat intervened to save her Hooman.
For they can be silly creatures, and Tula owned the most ridiculous of them all.
She had chosen the Bennet family earlier in her life; they seemed a reasonable family at the time. They had five daughters, and the youngest was 9. they had not totally gone silly yet. True, Mrs Bennet tended to let her youngest run wild, but some property was still in place.
It all started when Jane was out in society. Tula knew Jane would attract a lot of attention; she was beautiful on the outside and the inside. She was Tula's favourite with Elizabeth.
Tula had hoped the gentlemen who came courting Jane was not bad ones, but they had a dark spirit; she sensed it as they entered the house.
That was the first time she intervened; Jane deserved better!
The second time needed a more elaborate plan.
By that time, Mrs Bennet had turned full on silly.
From her warm spot next to the window, Tula purred; the night had been long, some mice had infiltrated the kitchen, and she had to roam it all night to get read of them.
Elizabeth caressed her from time to time, making Tula even more relaxed.
Elizabeth read a book as usual, but Tula could feel she was not the same since she was back from her trip. Something had changed, her eyes bear the sadness in them. Tula had always been a confidant for her Hooman, but she did not feel ready to share her secret with Tula, so she waited until she was ready.
She would reveal it to her when she felt like doing so.
Miss Elizabeth and her had always understood each other; both were independent but still needed a friend's comfort sometimes.
They were enjoying the sunny day through the window, embracing the rare quietness of the house.
When in the distance, cries and shouting sprung out.
None of them paid attention to it as they were used to it, but when the sound was moving dangerously toward their heaven place, Elizabeth frowned, watching the still closed door. She knew it would burst open sooner than later.
"What is going on now?"
Tula stretched and miaowed to prepare for the intrusion.
"Lizzie, tell her. You have to speak to mother!"
The door slammed open to reveal a red tearful Kittie rushing into the room. It made both Elizabeth and Tula jumped slightly at the violence of her entrance. Elizabeth confusion grew even more as her sister's cries made it nearly impossible to understand what was happening.
"What are you talking about?"
But Kittie could not calm herself; she was too far gone in her despair. She had thrown herself on the nearby settee, wailing loudly.
"Kitty, calm yourself. I do not understand you when you cry like this!"
The firmness of Elizabeth's voice made kitty sat up with fewer cries but tears still running down her face. She had some hiccups because of her cries.
Seconds later, Lydia came in, hopping happily around the room, completely obvious, or not, to her sister's despair.
"What is the matter, Lydia?" Elizabeth asked, knowing fully well that Kittie was still unable to form a proper sentence. And the looks she sent to Lydia can only mean that Lydia was part of the problem.
Lydia readily explained the situation, more than happy to share her news.
"I have been invited to Brighton with the foster. oh, the balls I would go and all the officers that I would meet."
Elizabeth frowned yet again, glancing at both her sisters; Kittie's cries had started up again, and Lydia was loudly, probably to cover her sister's despair, talking about how she was a great friend to Mrs Forster. It was not a surprise, she might even find herself a husband.
Elizabeth expression turned into horror at the suggestion. Tula next to her miaowed in horror too. She patted the cat in reassurance.
"Do not worry, Tula, I will talk to father."
Tula knew Elizabeth plan would fail, and as she saw her going toward her father's study, Tula formed a plan in her head.
Lydia will be the family's ruin if she goes to Brighton, she would never allow this.
She had to act now before it was too late; so she set out, leaving the room without the two girls noticing, both taken in a never-ending argument. On her way out, she crossed path with Jane, who gently smiled at her.
"Poor Tula, they had woken you up, have they not?"
But Tula, as though she loved Jane, was set in her journey and so barely acknowledge her. A minute later, you could hear the motherly tone of Jane, trying to take control of her wild sisters, not that it would work a lot.
Tula's plan might be mischievous, but in such a case like this, extreme actions must be taken; to Tula's pride, it worked.
As of late, Miss Lydia had determined that Tula must sleep with her; one evening a juicy mouse had escaped the kitchen and proceeded to Lydia's room, scaring the girl with force.
But tonight, Tula was absent, and miss Lydia would not have it before Tula was back in her room. As Mrs Bennet cannot refuse her favourite daughter, she agreed to send a searched party. Surprisingly, Lydia followed, more than determined to find the cat herself.
The search party composed of a stable boy and Mr hill, who were not so happy about this adventure. They knew the cat would be back by morning.
The night was already installed for some time, as they searched for the whole house beforehand.
"Oi, Little John, you go down that way while Miss Lydia and I will go this way, call if you find her, alrigh'?"
"Aye, sir."
"What if she is that way; we will lose time, you will go this way and I, this way."
"I do not think it is proper, miss…"
"La, nonsense, this is our property, and there are no ruffians here. I will be fine! Let us go, tomorrow I am leaving for Brighton."
She did not let the man object to her proposition and set off without looking back, both the boy and the man shrugged, they had learned very early that you had not much say when it concerned Miss Lydia.
The trio went their way, only lit by their lantern as the night engulfed them slowly.
Lydia advanced slowly toward the end of the garden, her lantern barely showing her the way. She called for Tula with no answer but the silence of the night.
"Tula, come on, missy! It is time for bed!"
Still nothing.
She was now approaching the garden wall that was separation their property from the rest of the land.
"Tula!?" Then it came small but definitely here, a miaowed. She called her again, hope spreading in her chest. Tula answered again. Lydia swung around her lantern, trying to get a glimpse of the cat, but she was only met with the sleeping flowers.
"Where are you?" another answer louder this time, she approached a large tree where the sounds seemed to come from. When Tula called again, she realised it was coming from above and as she lifted her lantern upward, she saw her not too high in the tree seemingly stuck.
"Oh, Tula, what are you doing up there? You are stuck now, are you not?"
The cat responded in agreement. Lydia looked around, trying to see if Mr Hill or John were somehow close by, but she could not even see their lights, so she decided as Tula was not too high in the tree that she would fetch her herself. As the chill of the night fell on her shoulder, her decision was even more fixed as she did not want to get sick.
"You stay there I am coming!"
Lydia attached her lantern in some branches nearby so she could see her way. There were a few big branches that would make it easy to catch Tula and come down. What she had not realised is the small branches in between that would scratch either her face, arms or dress, but she could not care less, her dress could be fixed easily by one of the maids.
You could say her climb went smoothly, so not even ten minutes later, it was a happy Lydia and Tula who turned back to the house in the hope of a good night sleep. Lydia never let go of the cat, afraid she would run off again. But Tula's deed was done, she had no intention of going anywhere. Her plan had worked even better than she had planned.
In the distance, the high-pitched call of Mrs Bennet resonated.
"I am coming mama, I found Tula."
"Good, now be quick, it would not be good to be sick of your tri… LYDIA! What have you done, you silly child!"
Mrs Bennet feature had gone from relaxed to utter horror. She was now calling Mrs hill at the top of her lung, ushering the poor girl in the house toward her room. Lydia had let go of Tula in the rush, confusion written on her face. She could not comprehend her mother's reaction. Why would her mother react such for a bit of scratch on her dress?
As she pushed the girl into her room, fury written all over her face.
"Now you get undressed and hope that we can fix this!" Mrs Bennet slammed the door of her confused daughter in search of Mrs hill. She could be heard raging in the hallways of the house.
All the house who were getting ready for the night came out of their room wondering why all this racket was about. Not a mere minute later, a loud shriek came from Lydia's room. All the sisters rushed to their youngest worried. Jane knocked, but no answers came.
"Lydia, is everything alright?"
Still, no answer with a silent consensus Lizzie opened the door to reveal their youngest sister crying on her bed. The four sisters surrounded her, trying to calm her down with gently touch or words.
"Lydia, are you alright? What is the matter?"
When Lydia finally lifted her face to her sisters, they all gasped in horror soon after, Mrs Bennet rushed in with Mrs hill in her tow a bowl of warm water and some cream pot.
"Are you not supposed to be in bed?"
Mrs Bennet was furious, and her daughters knew it was not a moment to argue or enquire questions. Lydia's cries had renewed stronger.
Jane ushered Kittie and Mary back to their rooms while Lizzie followed last.
As Lizzie went into her room, she shared with Jane; she encountered Tula.
"Hey you, I think it would be best if you disappear for the night!"
She grabbed Tula gently and took her into her room. Tula knew Mrs Bennet would be furious if she saw her, so Lizzie's idea was the best. She would avoid Mrs Bennet for the next few days until calm returned in the house.
The next day at breakfast, everyone was present except for Lydia. Jane enquired about her sister's health and was met with a harsh response.
"Your sister had played with fire, and she had received her punishment."
Everyone was shocked at their mother's statement, even Mr Bennet looked at his wife for a moment, surprised at the outburst. Since Lydia was born and with the dreadful news that she could not carry another without her health being in danger, Mrs Bennet had dotted on her youngest and would forgive her anything the silly girl would do. But today was different, it seems Mrs Bennet could not forgive her this time.
Later today, they received their aunt and uncle's visit from Cheapside. From her hiding place, Tula saw the couple's carriages arriving, and she was as happy a cat could be. Her plan had worked, earlier a messenger had been sent to Mrs Forster saying that Lydia would not be joining them as she was indisposed. Kittie had tried to convince her mother that maybe she should go instead of Lydia, but as Mrs Bennet furry had not subdued, it fell into deaf ears.
Later on that day, Mrs Gardiner was enjoying tea with Lizzie. Tula had managed to come down without being seen and was enjoying Lizzie's attention.
"My dear, what happened yesterday? Your mother seemed in all fury."
"I know she had been like this since last night; Lydia had been out looking for Tula and climbed a tree to catch her."
"Oh my, was she hurt?"
"Only a few scratches, but I think her pride might be."
"How so?"
"Well, as usual, she was not careful, and she climbed up that tree she did not realise branches were attacking her face. I have not seen her, only Jane could come into her room; even if the wounds were superficial, they are so many that she is a fright to look at. And today, she was supposed to leave for Brighton with the Forster. The Colonel Forster was resident here with the militia for some time."
"Oh, poor Lydia, I see!"
"Mother swear that she would not be out of her room for sometimes, she even threatened to not let Lydia out of the house before any of us is married."
"Would it be a bad thing?"
"No, it is quite unchristian of me to say, even if I feel sorry for Lydia, the outcome will benefit everyone. I just hope mother would standby this time."
Tula miaowed at that time, demanding more caress, directing the ladies' attention to her.
"Perhaps, we should thank Tula for her disappearance last night." Said Mrs Gardiner. Lizzie smiled at this. She looked at the purring cat on her laps, she did not know why but she felt Tula knew precisely what she did last night. She had never been stuck in a tree before or disappear in the night, last night was somehow exceptional. But Lizzie did not wonder too long on the thought, it would be silly to admit that cats could understand them. Mrs Gardiner stopped her woolgatherings.
"Talking about escape, it would be nice of you to accompany us in the Derbyshire, see new horizon. Also, one day Lydia will return to her old self, it might be fortunate not to witness it."
Lizzie laughed at her aunt jest, it would be lovely indeed, and with the event of Rosings, the change of scenery would be a breath of air. At no point did she realise that by going to the Derbyshire, she might encounter the same gentleman she wanted to avoid because of her shameful behaviour towards him and the possibility that her heart had uncovered some hurtful truth about her true feeling.
As Lizzie went to Derbyshire hoping to forget everything, but quite the opposite happened, for they indeed visited a particular grant estate where the absent host made a surprising visit to his estate.
It surprised everyone except Tula, of course, that their visit in Derbyshire stopped at Pemberley. Mr Darcy had all the time he could to convince his Elizabeth that he was the last man in the world she would want to marry. Upon seeing him, Elizabeth first instincts were to flee, but she wanted nothing more than to stay after a day.
They returned to Longbourn to officially asked a shocked Mr Bennet for their nuptial approval, to which he agreed with his daughter's plea. Tula perched in front of the window's first floor looked in appreciations at Elizabeth. Her Hooman had done the right thing, she had sensed from the very first time that Mr Darcy was the man she deserved. She was even happier when Lizzie told her she would join their household after the wedding. Mrs Bennet and Lydia now were in horror of the cat. Lizzie could not resign to let her be expelled from the house. Mr Darcy could not resist his future wife, and after meeting Tula, he agreed.
To say that Tula would think from time to time to her old house would be accurate, but she did not linger too long. Her new home was full of love and appreciation, no sudden cries or shouting except when Elizabeth gave birth to their four children, but that was something that Tula could bear easily.
As for Lydia, not much change except that to everyone surprised, Mrs Bennet stood her ground and Lydia did not go out in society until Kittie was married, it did her good as she was not as silly as she used to but at least she had some restraint.