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Part 2: Moderation and Composure

Sat, 01/08/2022 - 6:00am
"Embroidery for Fire Screen" (early 1800s, Cleveland Museum of Art)

Trifles Light as Air

A collection of one-shots based on Northanger Abbey: drabbles, flash fiction, missing scenes, and more. Title from Shakespeare's Othello, as quoted by Jane Austen in Chapter One. Now available as an eBook via Draft2Digital.

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Taking tea with Mrs. Allen was a regular occurrence for Mrs. Morland and any of her children deemed capable of sitting for so long.

Taking tea with Mrs. Allen was a regular occurrence for Mrs. Morland and any of her children deemed capable of sitting for so long. Today that was her two oldest daughters, who at least feigned interest in their neighbour's conversation.

"We would like Catherine to join us," Mrs. Allen concluded her raptures on the shops of Bath with this singular invitation. "I am sure Sally is full young to leave home."

Whether Sally agreed or not, her reaction was more disciplined than her sister's, who visibly started, gasped, and cried out, "Oh thank you!" before remembering her mother had been addressed, then turning earnest eyes of entreaty in Mrs. Morland's direction.

Her eldest had improved over the last year, with only the occasional lapse of attention or manner. Some experience in the greater world might be to her benefit. "I have no objection, provided Mr. Morland agrees; I shall ask when he returns." This reply provoked warm smiles all around, and even warmer panegyrics on their walk back to the parsonage.

After all, Catherine was a good girl at heart. Surely, with Mrs. Allen as her chaperone, she could not find too much mischief even in a place like Bath.

Title from Chapter 2 of Northanger Abbey: "Everything indeed relative to this important journey was done, on the part of the Morlands, with a degree of moderation and composure, which seemed rather consistent with the common feelings of common life...."