Chapter 23 #2
“Lydia does. Lately, she has made a few comments that indicate she has been very aware of your mother’s plans for your sister.
My wife found her laughing a few times about the plan for Lizzy to marry ‘an old man’ and how your mother intended to continue running Longbourn even after Mr. Collins inherited.
The two of them had big plans for what they would do when they were in charge. ”
“Lydia is awful. I wish I could get away from Longbourn and Mama. I would nearly volunteer to marry Mr. Collins just to get away, but since Mama thinks she will remain as mistress no matter what happens to Papa, I am uncertain that would be the escape I hoped for,” Mary concluded sadly.
Her uncle did what he could to comfort the girl, but he was not particularly adept at the task. Soon, Mary left and thoughtfully made her way to a second location.
“Mrs. Allen, is the Reverend home?” Mary asked.
That lady nodded and invited the girl in. “Would you care for tea or cakes? Mr. Allen and I were just about to sit down for a small repast.”
“Thank you; tea would be lovely,” Mary replied, following Mrs. Allen into the parlour. Once all were served their tea and pleasantries were exchanged, Mary finally spoke.
“I have a … theological question, Mr. Allen. I was hoping you would be able to help.”
Mr. Allen was accustomed to Mary asking such questions but found her manner in this case unusual. Of course, he recalled that the girl’s older sister had returned to the area recently and wondered if these questions had something to do with that.
“Of course, Miss Mary,” he replied. “I am always happy to answer any of your questions.”
“When does one’s obligation to obey and honour a parent cease?” she asked.
Mr. Allen was taken aback by the question.
There was gossip that the Bennets had intended to force the cast-off daughter to marry, but since the daughter in question had appeared already married, he wondered if Mrs. Bennet was now pushing another daughter to marry the man.
Mr. Collins visited Longbourn once more than a decade ago, and the reverend seemed to recall the man was close to Mr. Bennet’s age.
“Children are commanded to obey their parents; that is stated several times in the Bible. However, parents are also admonished not to ‘provoke their children’,” Mr. Allen sighed heavily as he pondered how to continue. “Mary, may I be blunt with you?”
Mary nodded slowly, wondering what the rector might say. “Please do, Mr. Allen.”
Rubbing his hand across his face, he blew out a breath before he began.
"Your parents are selfish creatures. Their insistence that one of their daughters marry the heir to Longbourn is born from your mother's selfishness. Of course, she could be sure of having a secure future if she would only restrict her spending and make a deliberate effort to save. Your father goes along with her and does not force her to save because, frankly, it is too much effort for him to control her. Your parents have been married for more than two decades. Had they saved even one hundred pounds per annum, they would have over two thousand pounds. But they could not be bothered to do so. The situation is made worse because the income from Longbourn has decreased over the last years. Mr. Bennet has not made the effort to do better. His tenants all need his assistance, and while they stay, most would leave if they had an option. Your mother and sisters make no effort to improve their lives, leaving it for others to provide aid. Aid they would not need if the master and mistresses did their duty to their estate.”
"If you are asking me whether, under these circumstances, you must honour your mother and follow her command that you marry a man against your wishes, the answer is no.
Legally, no one can force you to wed. You can refuse to say the words even if you are not of age.
However, your parents can also force you from their home if you do not obey them.
It could place you in a difficult position.
“Uncle Phillips has promised his assistance, at least as much as possible. However, if I refuse to marry Mr. Collins, it would be best that I do not remain in Meryton. I am too young to seek a position, and I am uncertain what support I can expect from my family in London.”
The Allens nodded their agreement, and silence resulted for several minutes until Mrs. Allen spoke. "Mr. Allen, did not a classmate write to you not long ago, stating that he was looking for a young lady who could be a companion of sorts for his daughter? Would Miss Mary suit?"
Mr. Allen considered this, steepling his fingers in front of him for several minutes.
“She might. Of course, it is not a paid position, but a friend of mine has a young daughter in need of a friend. I am uncertain of her age, perhaps a year or two younger than you, but the family lost a daughter to illness a little over a year ago, and they are hoping having a friend would help her recover. The two girls were very close, and she has been melancholy since. There are not many young ladies nearby, so they wrote to ask if I knew anyone who could visit. Let me write to him this afternoon. I will send it by express, and we should have an answer in a few days. If things at Longbourn come to a head before I receive a response, you may come here or go to Phillips. Both of us will do what we can to protect you until we can send you north.”
“Miss Mary, while you remain in the neighbourhood, would you like to begin to assist me as I help the poor amongst the neighbourhood? It would give you a reason to be away from Longbourn on occasion and also help prepare you for your future, whatever that may be,” Mrs. Allen offered, sensing that the girl needed some occupation away from Longbourn.
“I would enjoy that, Mrs. Allen,” Mary replied quickly. “I have read much about charity but have never thought to ask what I might do to help those around me. Mama would not have looked kindly at my asking.”
“My usual days to visit the parishioners are Tuesday and Friday. I try to leave the house at precisely nine for that is typically when Mr. Allen works on his sermon at the church. If you arrive before that time, we can go together. It is also early enough that no one should notice you leaving your home.”
“I will … I will try. Mama will not be downstairs that early, and I should be able to slip out.”
After a little more conversation, Mary departed and continued on her way home thinking over what she had learned that day. She knew she wanted to begin corresponding with her estranged sister and hoped that she might be able to build a relationship with her.