With her eyes, Elizabeth urged her sister to speak. Mary’s brows rose in uncertainty, but then, as understanding dawned, she quickly added, “You are very kind, sir. I shall make it my duty to include a phrase or two in my next letter to Kitty, for anything Lizzy finds uplifting will surely improve my younger sister as well.”
Elizabeth smiled at Mary with approval, and Mr. Collins, wholly engaged by the prospect of improving young female minds, withdrew at once to seek out the most suitable sermons.
When they entered the grove, Mary unburdened herself, and Elizabeth soon perceived her sister was in tears.
“Mary, my dear, does Mr. Collins beat you?”
Mary gave a short laugh. “No, Lizzy, nothing so grave.”
“He does not impose himself upon you?”
Mary colored. “I will speak plainly, Lizzy, for I am in need of guidance. Mr. Collins is not… inclined to excess in that regard, and he visits my bed but once a week.”
Her expression, so earnest and, at the same time, so comical, nearly overcame Elizabeth, who struggled to suppress her laughter as she studied her sister.
Mary giggled. “Lizzy, I believe he must mark the occasion in his calendar, for I have only now realized he comes to me on Saturday evenings.”
Elizabeth covered her ears. “Mary, pray let us not speak of such matters, for it is not an image I wish to entertain.”
It was Elizabeth’s turn to look comical as she hastened to apologize. “Forgive me, I did not intend…” but Mary interrupted her. “Never mind, sister. I feel the same.”
“I wish to understand what troubles you. I have never known you to be moved to tears, though Mamma has often provided sufficient cause. If he does not treat you with unkindness nor impose himself upon you, what is it in his behavior that so distresses you?”
“Lizzy, you saw what he did when I wished for time alone with a sister whom I have not seen for months. He would be walking with us even now, had you not intervened. I have never learned what seems so natural to you. He is always meddling in my concerns. I wish he had a profession like Uncle Edward's, which required his presence elsewhere for the greater part of the day. Then he would not trouble himself with the cut of the lamb, the arrangement of the furnishings, or my friendship with Miss de Bourgh, and I, in turn, would have time for reflection, and the solitude that is so necessary to me.”
Elizabeth pressed her sister’s arm in affection.
“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 severalhours 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.”
