Page 15 of New World Tea Company
“Our sister, Elizabeth, suggested the practice when our youngest sisters left the nursery.”
“Yes, the two youngest sisters are out,” Miss Bingley observed. “All five are out without any of you being married.”
At the table, Elizabeth frowned but said nothing as she guided Kitty and Lydia. After a glance at the table, Caroline asked, “Are they not very young? “
“Indeed, Catherine is only six-and-ten, while Lydia is four-and-ten,” Mrs Bennet revealed.
“I shall be five-and-ten years in December!” declared the youngest daughter from her place at the table.
“Five daughters, Mrs Bennet. What were you thinking?” asked Miss Bingley, trying to sound clever.
Mrs Bennet smiled and replied, “Miss Bingley, when you marry, God determines how many children you give your husband and how many are girls. Mr Bennet and I would have welcomed sons with our girls, but I cannot imagine the world without our five daughters.”
“But it seems excessive to have so many girls.”
Mary asked, “You are the youngest, are you not, Miss Bingley?”
“Indeed,” the lady replied.
The middle daughter continued, asking, “And have you considered that your parents discussed not having another babe after Mr Bingley was born and proved healthy?”
Louisa Hurst caught her sister’s eye and watched Caroline’s face turn red. The older sister rose from her seat and approached the table where the three sisters sat to distract everyone. Sheadmired the bonnets and complimented Kitty and Lydia’s work with rooster feathers to refresh the hats.
“We have new ribbons as well,” announced Lydia, indicating the items available to decorate the bonnets–ribbons, dried flowers, and rooster feathers of various colours, including dark green.
With some astonishment, Louisa asked, “Where did you come by green feathers?”
As Louisa held up four green feathers, Elizabeth replied, “When our housekeeper dyed yarn this summer, we also dyed several white feathers in the vat. Once they dried and were gently brushed, they proved to be eye-catching.”
Caroline sneered and said, “Green rooster feathers? How very strange.”
At the end of her patience with the rude visitor, Elizabeth entered the conversation and declared, “Green rooster feathers are no stranger than blue ostrich feathers, Miss Bingley. My sisters are creative and will garner attention at some gatherings with their refreshed bonnets. Much like you did at the assembly with your blue ostrich feathers.”
“My ostrich feathers are naturally blue,” Caroline replied.
Jane glanced at the visitor and said, “Miss Bingley, the ostrich feathers that come to London on merchant ships are white. There are many shops in the city where milliners dye flowers, leather, feathers, and other things to decorate chapeaus for ladies. Nature does not create blue ostrich feathers.”
Attempting to steer the conversation, Louisa asked, “How do you know this, Miss Bennet?”
“On a trip to London to visit our uncle and aunt, we visited a warehouse filled with cloth from India, spices from the East Indies, and ostrich feathers from Africa,” explained Jane.
Disturbed by this revelation, Caroline asked, “You have relatives in trade? In London?”
“Yes. My brother is very successful with his business,” Mrs Bennet assured her guest.
“Louisa, I have a headache,” declared Caroline. She rose and left the parlour without attempting to thank Mrs Bennet or make any farewell. However, Louisa did thank the hostess for the tea and conversation, spoke politely to the five sisters, and issued an invitation to come to tea in three days.
The two ladies departed quickly, and the ladies of the Bennet household discussed pleasant Mrs Hurst and prickly Miss Bingley for many minutes.
~~~
During the carriage ride back to Netherfield, Caroline spoke exclusively of the reasons why the Bennet family was not suitable because of their association with someone actively involved in trade. Her objections continued during dinner.
“Charles! There is a great scandal that we must make known to the savages here in the wilderness!” Caroline declared at dinner that evening.
His face exhibiting his concern, Charles asked, “What scandal, Caroline?”
“The Bennets! They have relatives in trade! Mrs Bennet told Louisa and I she has a brother in trade in London. The man has a warehouse filled with spices, cloth, and ostrich feathers!”
