Mary Bennet : Pride and Prejudice

34.

The next morning, Mary woke up with the sense of purpose. She had to live on her own for almost a month and prove to herself something she hadn't yet figured out but was certain to find if she just gave it time.

The first thing she did was write a letter to her dear sister Jane to send the recipe for her famous lemon cake for Henry. Then she went to the girls room to check if little Emma's had woken up. She then overlooked the cooking, making small talk with Ms Everly a bubbly cook who was amused to have a houseguest, when Charles arrived and sat for breakfast with Emma.

"Where are Henry and Caroline?" She asked relieved to have Charles to help.

"Still sleeping," he said as he helped himself dropping a half awaken Emma on the sofa. Mary grabbed her to her lap and rocked it as she tried to put a bottle full of milk through her mouth.

"Here, let me help you," Charles helped liked a true gentleman.

"Thank you!" Marigot expired and then signed to her half sleeping Emma on her lap sucking the milk out of the bottle.

"I am glad she warmed up to you so quickly," he says.

"I am surprised," Mary replied.

"Why, are you that awful with children?" He asked with a giggle.

"No, but I did try or do anything for her to like me," she explained.

"Maybe you posses something you're unaware off," Charles says wisely.

"Are you going somewhere?"

"Yes, I go to the library before I go to school," he says.

"Library!" Mary's interest peaks.

"Do you wish to go?" He asks hesitantly.

"Yes, but not today, I have dear Emma to take care off," she says wrapping her hands around the small creature.

"Then I will get you something to read!" He says enthusiastically.

Once Charles had left, she went to wake up the other two, Caroline and Henry. While Caroline, 14-15 years woke up in a dignified manner; Henry proved to be difficult.

"I want mamma to wake me up!" She demanded shutting his eyes tight.

"Your mamma isn't here," Mary explained worried.

"But I want her!" He commanded.

"Very well then," half in anger half losing hope.

She shut his door as she assisted the girls with their food.

"What do you do now?" Mary asked rhetorically after the girls had their food.

"I go usually go to Mrs March to learn Latin and sewing.

"Latin and sewing!" Mary exclaimed impressed. As she dressed the girls and herself up, she again attempted to get Henry out of his room to no avail. She decided to request Ms Everly to keep an eye on him, while she went out with the girls to drop Caroline to Mrs March.

Mrs March was a neighbour, only few houses away, and was known to teach young women everything important she should have learnt.

Mary was surprised to learn of such an institution for she and her sisters learnt everything for either their mother or reading.

As she enter the small but cozy house there were already few young women present who seem to be sewing, on the left hand side few girls were reading, and in the middle like a centre piece there stood a piano grabbing the rooms attention. An old, chubby lady came from inside and analysed Mary with her spectacles.

"Are you Miss Blake?" She asked with a frown.

"No! I am Caroline's aunt," Mary clarified. "Just came here to drop her off."

"Oh!" She realised as she finally noticed Caroline beside her. "Go on child finished what you were going yesterday," she ordered dryly.

Caroline ran inside giving Mary a little look before disappearing.

"I've been waiting for hours for this new teacher Miss Blake," the old lady made conversation.

"Teacher?" Mary asked confused.

"Yes! To teach the piano!" She revealed frustrated.

"To the children?" Mary asked still confused.

"Yes," the lady replied. "But there seems to be no decency these days!" She said sighing with anger. "Miss Blake cancelled last minute and now I am out of a piano teacher today!" She sighed.

"I can play the piano," Mary replied without thinking.

"Can you, dear!" The old ladies face lit up. "Oh where are my manners!" She reproached herself. "My name is Betty March, and I am the owner of this establishment where we teach women to be capable in the future," he said proudly.

"I am Mary..Bennet," Mary introduced nervously. "My aunt and uncle are the Gardiners and in their absence I will be taking care of the children," she said light a little Emma who was asleep in her arms.

"Oh, Splendid! Just splendid!" She said enthusiastically.

"Now dear, will you help us out and save me the misery of calling upon another lady to teach the piano to our little girls?" She asked desperately.

"I would but I need to get back to watch on my nephew Henry," she said apologetically.

"Oh what a pity!" She sighed disappointed.

"I apologise," Mary felt guilty. But before she turned back and left she stopped in her tracks and turned back. "I can play for a little while," she offered. "But just for a little while."

"Something is better than nothing," Mrs March replied as she gathered the little girls around the piano while Mary played rhymes and everyone sang to them with joy.

It was beautiful, Mary never imagined she could ever do something like this. Playing the piano before was a social skill which people often learnt to show off in front of the society but sitting here in front of the children it felt pure, genuine, happiness, she had never felt before. Even little Emma stood next to Mrs March and clapped her hand in joy to the music. This was the bliss Mary wanted to last.

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