Chapter 10 Hunsford Parsonage #2
“My dear, there is nothing so easy, since he is not vicious, nor ill-intentioned. He only lacks a proper direction for his energies and agreeable pursuits to occupy his hours. Has he a list of his parishioners? Does he know what tithes are collected? I daresay, between the two of us, and with Papa’s assistance, we may suggest Lady Catherine would be much impressed if he were to visit every family in the parish, and if, through his efforts, the tithes were increased.
When you are in her company, you may mention his accomplishments modestly.
If that lady is inclined to praise him, even a little, he will be moved to work harder. ”
Mary regarded her sister in wonder. “I shall attempt it.”
Elizabeth continued. “I will speak of how our dear rector, Mr. Fernside, makes it his practice to visit one family each day, and how he knows the names of all the children. Perhaps Mr. Collins may take it up as a point of rivalry, for how could a gentleman of seventy surpass one of five and twenty?”
Mary laughed. “Oh, Lizzy, if he were to visit one family each day, I should be perfectly contented, for it would allow me several hours of quiet and freedom to attend to my own concerns, the household, and my new life.”
“Then we shall begin there, sister. In the coming months, you would do well to commend any endeavor you wish him to adopt. For instance, I have never seen a garden so neglected, and though there are traces of an old orchard, two dead trees still stand. Has he spoken of planting bare-root trees in November? He might employ his evenings selecting fruit trees and planning a proper spring garden. I believe he means well. He is merely unaccustomed to forming his own judgments. From his dealings with Lady Catherine, I surmise he is easily led. I expect you will have learned how to guide his interests before my visit is at an end.”
Mary kissed her sister’s cheek. “Lizzy, you have restored my spirits and given me much to consider. Let us return, that we may dress for dinner. I require a few moments to compose myself and determine how best to direct my husband’s thoughts.”
Elizabeth pressed her sister’s hand with affection. “And I shall find a moment alone with Papa to enlist his myriad talents in our endeavor.”
“This roast of lamb is done to perfection, Mary. I commend you. It appears you have inherited your mother’s skill in setting out a good table. It wants only the fine mint sauce she is accustomed to serve with this joint.”
Mary’s eyes brightened as she replied to her father. “The kitchen gardens at Longbourn are particularly fine, Papa, but they are the work of many generations of Bennets, especially the herb gardens.”
Thomas Bennet said, “Collins, I imagine you are much occupied with your parish and have had little time to attend to your garden.”
Mr. Collins puffed out his cheeks as he searched for a reply.
“Sir, you do well to attend your flock. It is your first duty. However, a proper regard for your own health must also claim some of your time and attention. A strong and vigorous rector is of the greatest consequence to a thriving parish.”
Mr. Collins colored. “Yes, sir.”
“No one would censure you, not even your patroness, for devoting an hour to your garden, taking the air and the sunshine while you cultivate it. I am surprised she has not advised it, given the generosity with which she has provided for you.”
“Yes, sir. I am certain she would approve.”
Bennet continued, intent on impressing his point. “For she would not regard her valued rector so poorly as to deny him the time required to tend his garden, that he might enjoy a proper mint sauce with his lamb, or a fresh cucumber salad.”
“No indeed, sir. Lady Catherine would never deny me the simple comforts of life.”
Mr. Bennet beamed upon his son-in-law. “Perhaps you will drive me to Westerham in the morning. Have you a gig from Lady Catherine for your use?”
“Oh, yes, sir. She is most generous. I have a mount suited to my use, and the stable hands ready the gig whenever I require it.”
“Well then, sir, I should greatly enjoy a morning out with you on the morrow, if you will grant me the pleasure. Westerham is near. You may show me around the market, as I wish to observe the stalls and shops the town boasts. You must know, sir, that our village of Meryton does not possess the same variety or quality of shops as a town of Westerham’s size. ”
“I should be delighted to show you about, cousin. Shall we agree upon nine o’clock tomorrow morning?”
“Yes, yes. Setting out at that hour will give us the morning to procure plants and seeds. Have you already set in your turnips, potatoes, beans, or peas?”
“Not yet, sir.” The rector’s complexion heightened as he made this admission.
“No matter. There is still time, though the season advances. Have you beds for lettuce or spinach?”
“Not yet, sir, but I shall see to them without delay.”
Bennet said, “Mary, would you be so good as to prepare a list for your husband, including the herbs and vegetables grown in the gardens at Longbourn?”
He then addressed Mr. Collins. “Sir, how would you prefer the lists to be arranged, by season of planting or by the uses of the garden? I favor the latter, with the herb garden foremost, for each herb possesses its own fragrance. The root beds engage me less, though onions, potatoes, beets, and carrots serve well in a proper stew.”
Mr. Collins was wholly engaged with Mr. Bennet in a discussion of a useful kitchen garden, and Elizabeth glanced at Mary with a smile.
Her father played his part to perfection.
He had not walked the kitchen garden, nor concerned himself with lists of cuttings or seeds these many years.
Such matters, as he often declared, belonged to the women, while he occupied himself with his Greek volumes.
That evening, as Mary helped her sister with her buttons, she said, “Lizzy, Papa was a champion this evening.”
Elizabeth laughed with pleasure. “One would never suppose he has scarcely set foot in the kitchen garden these twenty years.”
“You are right, he has not, but he has shown Mr. Collins the way, and I am certain he will next direct him to his parish, its needs, and the tithes. I have never felt close to our father, but tonight I feel a real affection for him for what he has done on my behalf.”
Elizabeth kissed her sister and drew her into an embrace.
“Papa succeeds because he is a man and an estate owner, and your husband is inclined to respect such authority. He will follow his guidance readily. But you, as the daughter of a gentleman, will also command his regard, and he will be disposed to attend when you offer an opinion. You must speak, my dear. In this month since your marriage, have you offered him any suggestions?”
“No, Lizzy, I have not. I have had many opinions in my mind, but none have found their way into speech. I shall make the effort, for his sake and for my own. I have grown resentful, and it is unjust to him, since I have not had the courage to express myself.”
“Then I shall observe how you proceed. You will have your audience while Papa and I are here, and we shall applaud you whenever you act or speak in the interest of your marriage and your shared happiness.”
That evening, when the ladies withdrew, Mr. Collins’s gaze followed Elizabeth as she crossed the drawing room to collect her book, and it remained upon her until she left. Thomas Bennet observed it and said, “I believe you are pleased with my second daughter, sir. Shall she be entirely safe here?”
The rector’s complexion darkened. “Yes, sir, upon my word. No harm shall come to your daughter while she resides under my roof.”
“Very well, sir. As a man of honor, I shall depend upon your assurances.”