SUSPENDING PLEASURES
Author's Note: It has come to my attention that Mrs. Hurst made a remark in chapter 4 that may have been confusing. She said she wished she'd be able to check out Margaret's facebook (small initial), and naturally I was thinking of the convenience of being able to see online how your relatives are doing when physically isolated from them and how these people could not. But of course Mrs. Hurst knows nothing about social media, and as far as she is aware, the word was merely an off-the-cuff reference to the child's sketchbook full of drawings of familiar faces that was mentioned in the letter that Mr. Bingley was reading from. Other anachronisms are possible, as I am no historian.
CHAPTER 5 - GONE A-HOARDING
London was not on a different continent but it was far enough from the Bennets' daily lives that the news of the contagion spreading in the capital had seemed rather distant at first. This changed when everyone heard that Mrs. Long was dreadfully ill. Even though the apothecary could not be sure if Mrs. Long had the strange new disease or some garden variety sickness that might kill a person just as effectively, she was doing poorly either way, and the epidemic suddenly seemed a more immediate threat.
It was very distressing for Mrs. Bennet who had images of funerals flashing through her anxious mind. Mrs. Long had always been kind to her. What would Mrs. Long's poor nieces do if she died? Could someone else catch her disease? What if Mr. Bennet were to fall ill? How would it feel like to live in the shrubbery?
It was a bleak situation fraught with dangers, but things are never so bad that they could not be made worse by running out of food. Fortunately Mrs. Bennet could not spend all her time worrying about death and disasters because she also had to worry about dinners. If diseases started running rampant and they were quarantined, they might be stuck in the house for who knows how long, and would need nourishment. Even if there was no quarantine products might be in short supply if lots of farmers, tradesmen and servants got ill. Furthermore, their recently arrived guest Mr. Collins had turned out to be a proficient eater of meals, and there did not seem to be any way to be rid of him soon. Nobody thought of her nerves, absolutely nobody.
Mrs. Bennet got Mrs. Hill to inventory the pantry and together they found it imperative to replenish the stocks of various things. Food was not the only thing they needed. Did they have enough candles? Tea? Firewood? Mr. Bennet would want more writing supplies, he always wanted more writing supplies. One could get a lot of sewing done in a quarantine, so they needed some fabric and thread too, and yarn for knitting.
The servants could not be spared because they were needed at the house, and if Hill got ill, however would they manage? Mrs. Bennet sent the girls to Meryton to buy things and place orders for other things.
"This list is a mile long," Miss Lydia complained. "How do we get all this home?"
"I should come with the cart," Mr. Bennet said.
"No, you should not," said Mrs. Bennet sternly. "It is dangerous. What if you got sick? How would we quarantine ourselves in the hedgerows?"
"Perhaps I would survive."
"Yes, and perhaps homelessness would build character. Let Mr. Collins take the cart."
Mr. Collins did not take offence for being considered expendable. He was ready and willing to brave the dangers of Meryton with the girls. "Madam, I thank you for your graciousness in asking me to accompany my fair cousins. It is an honour to be their escort on this necessary outing, and if I can make myself useful I am twice as lucky."
"Most people would call shopping a chore, but you call it an honour," Miss Elizabeth said.
"Although I was called into a spiritual occupation I am no stranger to more worldly pursuits and I do not mind shopping at all. Truly I consider myself extremely lucky to have the extraordinary pleasure of your company."
"You must have lived a lonely life," Mr. Bennet said.
Mr. Collins attempted to deny this claim and said that on the contrary, his life had been quite fulfilling. Then he meandered into describing the joys he had experienced in the company at Rosings in some more detail, but this argument was not altogether convincing. It was felt that people who had had tea with an autocratic widow twice and found it such a high point in their social lives probably lacked friends.
Mrs. Bennet shooed them on their way. "Go, and do not speak to anyone who looks sick."
Miss Bennet did not feel like walking so she got a seat in the cart with Mr. Collins. The rest of the girls walked to Meryton. They bought salt, flour, tea, some dried fruit, sugar, onions, carrots, three kinds of jam, various pickled items, cabbages and bacon. They purchased honey, garlic, peppermint and other herbs. The shopkeeper said apologetically that they had run out of the good candles, but the girls got some of the cheaper ones made with tallow.
They did not meet anyone who looked sick but they saw Mrs. Goulding who hurriedly turned into a side street when she noticed them. A couple of neighbours stopped to ask them if they knew how Mrs. Long was or to say that it was a terrible affair. Mr. Purvis walked past very fast and looked away, as if scared that he might get ill from eye contact. Miss Maria Lucas was on her way home and said she too had been trying to buy candles.
They visited the apothecary shop and asked for recommendations. Mr. Jones was not there but his wife recommended lavender. She said that the science on the subject was lacking but that Mr. Jones was convinced that the scent of lavender could protect from infections. Although he and his wife took care of many sick individuals they had not even had a cold for many years, and Mr. Jones credited that to the beneficial effects of lavender. The apothecary's advice had often been useful for the Bennets so they bought several bars of lavender soap.
"The lavender scent is not very strong in this," Miss Bennet said. "I hope this works."
"It is worth a try, and we need soap in any case," Miss Elizabeth said.
"It is not hoarding if we need it," Miss Mary said.
Miss Lydia spotted one of the officers on the street, in the company of another young man. He was introduced as Mr. Wickham, and they learned that he was to join the militia.
"I hate to suspend that pleasure but unfortunately we cannot stay to chat," Denny said. "We have just arrived from London, and I have been instructed that we should go straight to our quarters and avoid people for at least a week until it can be determined that we did not catch a fever in London."
"I forbid you to get sick," Miss Lydia said. "You would miss the ball."
"I think this is much ado about nothing," Mr. Wickham said. "We are young and strong, and I do not know anyone who is sick. I am sure we will be fine."
"We certainly hope so," Miss Catherine said.
Mr. Collins promised to pray for their continued good health, and Mr. Denny and Mr. Wickham went on their way. All the girls agreed that Mr. Wickham had seemed very pleasant and as he was thoughtful enough to be very handsome they were looking forward to his acquaintance.
"It is quite a waste to keep him quarantined," Miss Lydia complained.
"Probably he will be just as handsome after he comes out of it," Miss Catherine said, and it was a comforting thought.
"He will be more handsome in a red coat," Miss Lydia said.
"But handsome is as handsome does," Miss Mary noted.
"That is what Lady Catherine always says too."
"When she is not saying any of the other things that she always says," Miss Elizabeth said.
They made another detour into a different shop, and after buying some muslin and ribbons they were hailed by a friendly voice.
"Well, hello, Miss Bennet," Mr. Bingley said.
"Miss Elizabeth," Mr. Darcy said.
"Ladies," Mr. Hurst said. "What is the collective noun for a group of Miss Bennets?"
"A surfeit, I think," Miss Elizabeth guessed.
"Are you quite recovered, Miss Bennet?" Mr. Bingley asked.
"Yes, I am well enough to be out and about, as you can see."
"Have you been shopping?" Mr. Bingley inquired.
Mr. Hurst laughed. "These ladies just came out of a shop carrying several boxes and bags. You better hope they were shopping and not robbing poor tradesmen blind."
"Oh, we were the ones who got robbed I think," Miss Elizabeth said. "Everything costs more than it did two weeks ago."
"These are uncertain times, and it seems many people are hoarding supplies," Mr. Darcy said.
"Yes, absolutely," Miss Bennet agreed. "Just like us. We bought some soap and cabbages."
"And ribbons," said Miss Elizabeth. "Ribbons are an essential quarantine item, are they not?"
Mr. Hurst slapped his forehead. "I knew we forgot something!"
"Have you found everything you need?" Mr. Darcy asked.
"We did not get the good candles but I am sure of at least one thing," Miss Elizabeth said. "Trees may fall and the mountains may crumble but no matter what happens, Longbourn will never run out of salt again."
"Bingley here has a lease for one year but more candles than he can use in a dozen," Mr. Hurst said. "Caroline sent the housekeeper shopping."
"Perhaps you can stay for longer than a year then," Miss Bennet said and smiled at Mr. Bingley.
"I would like that," he said and smiled back. It did not make a huge difference in his countenance as he usually had a smiling aspect; it was more a matter of directing smiles.
Mr. Collins started coughing, and was introduced to the newcomers. Mr. Darcy's name caught his attention.
"Mr. Darcy of Derbyshire? My esteemed patroness, Lady Catherine DeBourgh has a nephew of that name."
"Yes, I am one and the same," Mr. Darcy said.
"What a lucky coincidence to have met you here." Once more, Mr. Collins related the infinite gratitude that he felt having benefited from Lady Catherine's kindness and condescension, using many words, as was his wont.
"How fortunate that you enjoy my aunt's attention," Mr. Darcy said.
"Her attentiveness is unrivalled," Mr. Collins said. "I cannot imagine anyone could take more interest in the minutest concerns of everyone in her circle."
"No doubt you are correct," Mr. Darcy said drily.
"Her daughter is a credit to her upbringing. She is truly a jewel of the first stare, and you may count yourself a fortunate man."
"Oh, why is that?"
"I mean that you have found the finest woman in all England to be your intended, and I congratulate you for your betrothal."
"What?" Mr. Darcy seemed startled and shot a look at Miss Elizabeth. "I am not betrothed."
"But you are. Lady Catherine has told me that you and Miss DeBourgh have always been destined to marry each other."
"Will you allow me to know whether I am getting married or not?"
Mr. Hurst laughed. "Sometimes the gentleman is the last to know."