by Ted Bader
“Do you like the ride so far?” Thomas inquired of her.
“Oh, yes, very much so. I like having an occasional snowflake land on my face; and do you, Thomas?”
“I agree. Being out like this makes me feel very alive. Each season needs to be sensed at its best expression, and I think we are experiencing the very essence of winter.” After a few moments, Thomas called forward to the next seat, “Henry, where have you told your driver to take us?”
Henry turned and responded, “I thought we should go to our own estate first. I have invited Kitty to see it and she still has not been able to come.” Henry turned and began talking to Kitty again.
Thomas resumed talking with Georgiana, “I have not had time to tell you about my acceptance of the library assistanceship at Cambridge. I shall be leaving in a week or so to start my first session.”
“Oh, Thomas, I shall miss you so.” She remained quiet for a minute and then continued, “My feelings are mixed about your departure. You will be gone for such long intervals that I fear we may become strangers. On the other hand, you will discover more books and poetry and will return a scholar.”
Thomas was quiet for awhile and did not respond to her last statement. He then said, “Henry, I cannot see it, but we must be approaching Westbrook Estate.”
“Indeed, Thomas, you are right. We shall be there in five minutes.”
Westbrook Hall was a fine estate. The graceful outlining of it by the snow increased its grandeur. The group was greeted by the Earl and Countess and they were all soon stamping their feet in the entrance parlor.
Lord Westbrook declared, “I think I have already had enough of this bitter weather. I will stay here and the rest of you may go on.”
Caroline Bingley looked at the Countess and said, “I also am more fatigued than I anticipated. May I stay tonight and return to Pemberley in the morning?”
“Of course, my dear,” the Countess’ replied.
Hot coffee was brought out to the group. The conversation turned to a discussion of the clergy.
Kitty said, in a careless way, “I usually try to hide when a clergyman visits our house in Longbourn.”
“Pray tell me why?” was Henry’s response.
“I find them to be such bores. Or, as in the case of Mr. Collins, the rector of Hunsford Park, they are absolutely silly.”
The room became very quiet since the other young people knew of Henry Westbrook’s plan to become a clergyman. Henry became serious and asked, “Have you no interest in religion at all?”
“Very little. I rarely say my prayers. I try to avoid going to church as often as possible.” Smiling a little, she added, “My cough always seems to get worse on Sunday mornings.”
Georgiana was aghast at such irreverent expressions and the discomforture that her statements must be causing her potential suitor. It was clear to Georgiana’s observation that Kitty was not aware of Henry Westbrook’s professional plans; otherwise, she would have not spoken so bluntly.
Caroline Bingley looked sharply at Kitty. Georgiana looked at Thomas, who appeared amused by Kitty’s honesty. Georgiana gave him a gentle elbow in his side and he instantly acquired a serious look.
Henry Westbrook rose and said, “Then this is what you think of the clergy? A silly, useless lot?”
Kitty’s face began to evolve an expression that recognized she had committed a blunder. Uncertain of the exact insult, she tried to retreat by saying, “I am sure they perform vital functions. I was just giving my reaction to them.”
Henry Westbrook coolly replied, “I also have had enough of a sleigh ride today.” Turning to Thomas he said, “Mr. Staley, would you be so good as to accompany Miss Bennet and Miss Darcy back to Pemberley Hall tonight?”
“Of course, Henry. We probably better get going before the weather worsens.”
Back in the sleigh, Thomas and Kitty were sitting on each side of one seat, with Georgiana in between. When they were well away from Westbrook Hall, Kitty asked Georgiana in an anxious voice, “What did I do wrong back there? Why did Henry react so strongly to my statements?”
Georgiana tried to reply as gently as possible, “Did you not know that Henry is preparing to become a clergyman? He will finish Cambridge this next year and take his holy orders shortly afterwards.”
Despite the wintry weather, Kitty began crying. Between sobs, she said, “I am so foolish. . . Father always said my foolishness would hurt me someday. . . Mr. Henry Westbrook is the first man I felt I could really love; and now, I have destroyed any good opinion he may have had of me.”
Returning to the parlor at Pemberley, Georgiana bid Thomas a friendly goodbye and turned her attention to the crisis confronting Kitty. The fireplaces were rejuvenated. Mrs. Bennet, Jane and Elizabeth came to where Kitty and Georgiana were sitting. Kitty looked up at her mother and said, “Oh, Mamma, I have been so stupid.”
Her mother replied, “Oh! Kitty. Nothing can be so bad as this. Tell me about it.”
“I insulted Mr. Henry Westbrook’s profession. I did not know he planned to enter the clergy. I told him of my hiding from visiting clergymen and my lack of interest in church.”
Her mother exclaimed, “Did you not learn anything from your dear sister, Lydia, about how to capture a husband?”
Kitty began crying again.
This behavior caused her mother to reply in a soothing tone, “There, there, my dear. I must agree your statement was rather silly, even for you.”
“Mamma!” Elizabeth protested.
“Well, well. Young women will make their gaffes, and I suppose it was time for Kitty to expose herself.”
“Mamma! You are not helping Kitty,” Elizabeth rejoined.
“Now, Elizabeth, do not pretend you have acted towards men with perfect behavior. Kitty has made her mistake and must go on to some other gentleman.”
Kitty continued to cry and between sobs said, “But I felt so strongly for Mr. Henry Westbrook. . . he is such a fine gentleman. . . it is clear I have been much too foolish. . .”.
“Now, now, girl,” Mrs. Bennet replied, “You just must be more clever next time.”
“Mamma, you are not helping here,” Elizabeth said. “Would you be so kind as to find father and let him know what has happened.”
Mrs. Bennet looked coolly at Elizabeth, but felt the force of the request since her daughter was now mistress of Pemberley. She arose and walked out with as much dignity as possible.
When Kitty’s sobs quieted down, Elizabeth looked at her younger sister and said lovingly, “Now, Kitty, you know Jane and I have tried to remonstrate with you about the careless, self-centered behavior you engaged in with your sister Lydia. Lydia has made a most uncomfortable existence for herself with Mr. Wickham. Do you want the same thing to happen to you?”
“No, but what can I do?”
“You can repent of your frivolousness and attempt some serious behavior in your life.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean stop being self-centered and start trying to help others.”
“How can I do that?”
“For one thing, you can help me with sewing for the parish poorbox. We need to mend certain pieces and embroider a few special garments.”
“But I know little about sewing.”
“Well, it’s time you became interested in learning.” Elizabeth then referred to Georgiana, “Our sister, Georgiana, is active in visiting the less fortunate in the parish. Perhaps, you can find out from her what the visitation involves.”
Kitty, Elizabeth and Jane then turned their attention to Georgiana, who replied, “Do not think I have always wanted to help others. I discovered myself to be vain and selfish when I was rescued from a foolish elopement with Mr. Wickham.”
Kitty gasped, “He tried to deceive you also?”
> Georgiana replied, “Yes, and it is to my shame that only 18 months ago he almost succeeded. Oh, do not worry, I did not love him at all. In retrospect, it was merely infatuation and the thrill of a first proposal. My feelings for him dissolved within hours of his dismissal by my brother; but then, a goodly period of mourning ensued about my foolish behavior. I repented of my faults and became more serious about our religion. I started to look for ways to spend my time more profitably; one way I discovered was to help the rector in his visitation of the poor.”
Kitty responded warmly, “Thank you for telling your story. I was beginning to resent your perfect behavior and thought you were born that way. I see you have matured because of your experiences.”
Elizabeth said, “Yes, it is true. Good judgement comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgement.”
Jane continued, “You must not allow this period of mortification to pass without making resolution for improving your behavior.”
“I think you are right,” Kitty replied. “I despair that Henry Westbrook will ever consider me again; however, I hope that when I meet another grand gentleman, I shall be mature and serious enough to warrant his consideration. Georgiana, even though you are a year younger than myself, I can see you are far ahead of me in the pilgrim’s progress. What do you recommend to me?”
Georgiana thought for a moment and then replied, “I have found much strength in my daily prayers. You may join me for awhile and we can discuss the profit involved in such an activity. Secondly, you can begin visiting the parish poor with the rector, Rev. Wilson, and myself every Saturday. The needs are even greater in this wintry weather.”
Kitty replied, “I should like very much to do those things. May I start tomorrow in the chapel and visit this week with the rector?”
Georgiana replied, “I should be delighted.”
Jane said, “And, Kitty, you must start attending church more regularly.”
“I will,” Kitty replied. Kitty approached her older sisters and hugged them and thanked them for their longsuffering interest. She also hugged Georgiana and expressed gratitude to her by saying, “I have never wanted so badly to change my ways. I think if I stay around all of my dear sisters, I shall make it. Perhaps, eventually, I shall meet with another gentleman as fine as Mr. Henry Westbrook.”
The next morning, after prayers and a chapel visit, Kitty sat down with all of the Bennet and Darcy women and received instruction about embroidering. With several months of instruction from Elizabeth, Georgiana was more of a beginner than anyone else; and, she was, therefore, often more helpful in answering Kitty’s questions.
Elizabeth demonstrated the french knot stitch twice, but Kitty was still unable to make it small and close to the fabric. Elizabeth looked across the room in frustration, “Mamma, you are very good with french knots, perhaps you could help Kitty--I seem to only be confusing her.”
“I am happy that you realize I have some talent--after all, I taught you,” Mrs. Bennet replied as she took Elizabeth’s place beside Kitty. She spent several moments emphasizing the finer points of keeping the knot close to the fabric, and soon Kitty was able to do it reasonably well. In this subject, for once, Mrs. Bennet was of real help. She had taught both Elizabeth and Jane how to embroider and still could perform as well as, or better than, her daughters. She could not see as well, but sewing was the one time the girls could count on their mother being fairly agreeable.
Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, along with the Bingleys, had to leave Pemberley the following morning. Miss Caroline Bingley had achieved her desire of beginning to capture Lord Westbrook, the older son of the nearby estate. She was invited to stay at Westbrook Hall for another fortnight to become better acquainted with the Westbrooks.
The next day being Saturday, Georgiana and Kitty were taken by carriage, about a half mile, to the rectory. The sun had finally broken out. When combined with the reflection from the snow, the day was very bright.
During the carriage ride, Georgiana thought how much she trusted Reverend Wilson. He had presided over the funerals of her parents. From him, she had learned the hope of heaven. Reverend and Mrs. Wilson had treated her with such love and warmth that she felt they were like grandparents to her. As a result, it was only natural when Georgiana suffered her spiritual crisis, eighteen months earlier, that she went to them for counsel. When Rev. Wilson suggested she begin working in visitation with him for the parish, she was eager to be of service, but was reluctant because of her shyness. When Reverend Wilson reassured her that she would be required to say very little, other than greetings, she joyfully consented. Her desire to continue the work was reinforced when she saw the deep needs.
The rector, a gray-haired older man, who looked like a grandfather should, met them when the carriage stopped. He introduced himself to Kitty as she stepped down.
“How do you do? My name is Reverend Wilson. I understand yours is Catherine Bennet?”
“Everyone calls me Kitty.”
“And so it shall be, or Miss Bennet as needed.” Turning to Georgiana he continued, “How is Miss Darcy today?”
“Fine. Thank you, Reverend.”
“I appreciate your coming today. As you know, Miss Darcy, since my wife died one year ago, I have relied on your assistance. Today, we shall visit a family in desperate need. I will tell you both about it as we walk down to the village. First, come inside and pick up the baskets of blankets and food we are going to take to them.”
The girls complied and soon they were walking the short distance to the village. The four inches of wet snow made for good traction under their boots. Spots of bare ground were beginning to show. After five minutes, they reached a small cottage, probably better described as a hut, which was boarded up tightly. The rector knocked and a three year old girl gently opened the door and shyly stood behind it.
Reverend Wilson said, “May we come in, Lucy? Your mother knows about our visit.”
Without saying anything, the girl opened the door completely and retreated. They entered the gray, cold twilight of the single room. The fire had only a few low-burning coals. The darkness was made worse by the sunshine being interrupted by clouds as they stood at the door. On a bed to the left of the fireplace lay an unkempt man and woman under a blanket. The man coughed and did not stir. The woman, her hair in disarray, turned in the bed and tried to give a weak smile as the Reverend approached.
He drew up a little stool and, before talking to her, looked at Georgiana and asked her to place some coals in the fireplace. Georgiana complied. Kitty stood behind the rector, appalled at the condition of the cottage and of the adults lying before her.
“Mrs. Smith, how are you today?”
She coughed and said in a hoarse voice, “I am sorry, Reverend Wilson, I cannot sit up to greet you. The fever appears to be gone this morning, but I am still quite weak. As you can see, my husband is quite dazed after drinking last night.”
The rector replied, “I can see he has returned from the mills in Ashton. Did he bring anything home for you?”
“No, only his drunken body. He gambled away all of his earnings, except for some cheap whiskey, with which he became drunk. It does not seem right that the church should help us, since we have only ourselves to blame.”
“Now, now,” the rector replied soothingly, “you must not worry about your need. This is no time for a sermon. Once you are all well again, we can talk about the future. We have come to bring some blankets and food.”
By this time, the fire was beginning to blaze again, filling the room with some light. Georgiana sat at the table with Lucy. After a moment, Georgiana edged closer to the girl and whispered, “I have a little surprise for you.”
Lucy’s eyes shone through her dirty face as Georgiana pulled out a hand-sized doll and presented it to her. Lucy gave a little shriek and snatched the doll, then ran and hid it under her mattre
ss.
Georgiana asked, “Lucy, why did you hide the doll?”
“Cause I want to keep it.”
“No one is going to take it from you.” With this reassurance, the girl went back to the bed and retrieved the doll. She began hopping around. Georgiana stood up and took her hands as they danced in a circle. Kitty began to approach, when a loud cry alerted the trio to another member of the family in the cottage. Kitty followed the wail to a little crib behind the mother’s bed. She picked up the fussing infant. Cradling the babe in her arms, she began to rock the child back and forth. The baby soon settled down, but upon any cessation of motion began crying again. Kitty looked imploringly at Georgiana.
Georgiana said, “The baby is probably hungry.”
They both looked at the mother who said, “I am too sick to let him feed.”
Georgiana moved to the table and put some milk in a small sipping cup and gave it to Kitty. The six month old baby eagerly sipped and swallowed the milk. Kitty began humming as she sat down to feed the baby. Georgiana observed a look of compassion and pity on Kitty’s face and felt that the effort to involve her new friend was worthwhile. Georgiana and Lucy came over and sat next to Kitty.
Lucy beamed, “I help feed Paul.” Then her little face drooped, “We out of milk.”
“You are a good big sister,” Georgiana reassured Lucy. “We will leave this bottle of milk for you. Can you come with me to get some water for heating? Then we can clean your baby brother.”
They soon returned with water and placed it over the fire. After it was warm, Lucy assisted her visitors with placing a clean blanket on the table so Kitty could wash the now contented baby. After the baby was bathed and dressed in clean clothes, Georgiana washed Lucy’s face. Noting her dirty dress, she asked, “Lucy, do you have another dress to change into?”
Lucy moved her head side to side in a negative response and Georgiana said, “I think Reverend Wilson was wise enough to bring a dress about your size.” She pulled a solid blue dress out of the basket. Lucy began hopping up and down again. Georgiana helped Lucy slip off the dirty garment and washed her arms before the new one was put on. Georgiana also pulled out a sweater for the little girl, who continued to bounce even as Georgiana tried to help her on with the sweater.
