Page 33
Elizabeth was on a roll.
“At breakfast this morning Mrs. Bennet screeched at me from just the other side of the dining table. She then accused me of lying which I did not appreciate. There were servants in the room, how long do you think it will take for my reputation to be damaged in the neighbourhood. She continued to shout and screech, again from a distance of no more than six feet. She then ran off to complain to you and now here I am.”
Elizabeth did not sound in the least bit repentant.
“The good book says you must respect your parents.”
Ah, the old standby.
“Yes it does. Ephesians Chapter 6 Verses 1 and 2. What is conveniently forgotten is Verse 4.”
She did not elucidate, another little jab since she knew neither of her parents would know the verse.
“Do not play games Elizabeth. What does verse 4 say.”
“I am not playing games, you were the one to mention the good book. Verse 4 is as follows.
‘And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath.’
I find myself to be wrathful.”
Elizabeth was calm, her tone no different than so many others while in that room. She could debate with her father without rancour. She could not eat breakfast with her mother without rancour. Thomas Bennet closed his eyes, his hand across his face. He could tell when Elizabeth had dug her heels in. For lack of any alternative, he turned to his wife.
“What say you Fanny?”
“I am the Mistress of this house, and I will not be spoken to in this manner.”
Nothing but a repeat of previously shouted protests.
“Elizabeth, you will treat both your parents with respect. I will not tolerate daily disruptions, do you understand?”
Thomas Bennet could not tell if the silence or the stare was more unnerving.
“I will write a letter to Aunt and Uncle Gardiner. Please see that it is sent.”
“Stop changing the subject. Do you understand?”
“I am not changing the subject. I am preparing them for my arrival when I am banished.”
“Elizabeth! Stop this at once, do you hear.”
“Stop what? Asking to be treated with respect. Expecting myself, Mary and Kitty to be treated with respect. Asking for consistent as opposed to selective parenting? I will not be called a liar. Not by you, not by Mrs. Bennet, not by anyone.”
Elizabeth stood without waiting for a reply and left the room, leaving her parents in stunned silence. Before Mrs. Bennet could start her husband stopped her.
“Wait Fanny. We need to talk about this. You heard Lizzie, she is prepared to be banished. And you know that your brother and his wife will take her in. Why she has suddenly become this person, I do not know but she appears serious. I am not saying that we banish her, but suppose we did? What would be the reaction of the neighbourhood? Lady Lucas would have plenty to say, and you know it. Yet we cannot let her get away with this disrespect.”
He paused and took his wife’s hand in his own.
“Do not just repeat phrases you have used in the past. Think on our new situation. You have been worried about the entail our entire married life. Jane is now safely married, you no longer have to worry about the hedgerows. But Jane was the glue that held the family together. It is clear that she stayed Lizzie’s tongue. You spent time with Jane, trained her to be the mistress of her household. Are you going to be able to do the same with Lizzie?”
Mrs. Bennet actually stopped and focused on her husband’s words, especially the security of having a daughter married.
“I do not know. And you are right about the impact of banishing one of the girls. Everyone will speculate that Lizzie has done something to justify it. And everyone will assume it is unseemly behaviour. And we know that is not the case. No, we cannot banish her. Yet, she is acting like she expects to get banished, and also has made no promises regarding her behaviour.”
“I will write to Gardiner and ask that she return to them but for longer. This is categorically not Lizzie being banished, but it is clear that you and she need a break from each other. You should start training Mary since she will be the oldest of our daughters in residence.”
He held up a hand to forestall the expected interruption.
“You have to be better at treating all of our daughters in a similar way. Which means that if Lizzie goes to London then the next to receive training is Mary, not Lydia.”
It took a moment but she agreed.
“I understand. I will start to train Mary in the responsibilities of the Mistress.”
Elizabeth Bennet was not banished. She was just sent to London indefinitely.
