“And I intend to go further and ask your advice regarding a particular problem,” Mr Bennet said mysteriously, causing his companions to neglect their food altogether. There was unusual emotion in his manner, which his wife and daughters observed with curiosity. Usually calm and droll, he rarely allowed any deeper feeling to appear.
“You know that my father had a brother. Has a brother still, as he remains alive.”
“Yes,” Mary replied quickly, and all eyes turned towards her, for she seldom spoke. “Uncle Thomas. He left for Africa more than twenty years ago. East Africa, I believe.”
“Exactly, my dear,” Mr Bennet said warmly, pleased that Mary was participating in the conversation. It was never knowledge that she lacked, but rather the ease of turning her considerable learning into conversation. “We owe him a great deal, for he was once the heir to Longbourn, but when hedeparted, exactly six-and-twenty years ago, he renounced his claim in my father’s favour and consequently in ours.”
“And?” Mrs Bennet asked, somewhat alarmed. “Does he want it back?”
“No, my dear. At the time, he renounced it entirely.”
“How generous,” Elizabeth observed. “I have rarely heard the stories of his adventures.”
“That is my omission. He was indeed an adventurer who travelled first to India, then returned only long enough to settle the matter of Longbourn before leaving for East Africa, as Mary remembered so well. He used to write from time to time, but I have had very little news from him during the last ten years. At moments, I even feared he might have disappeared in that vast continent.”
“Is it greater than Britain?” Lydia asked, whilst Mary gave a small snort at her sister’s ignorance.
“It is a continent; it contains many countries, most of them larger than Britain.”
“You need not sound so conceited,” Lydia replied.
“And you might have attended more of Papa’s lessons.”
“And become a bookworm like you!” cried Lydia with a disdainful smile.
“Now, Lydia, leave your sister alone,” Mrs Bennet intervened reluctantly. She disliked scolding Lydia, though she did attempt to appear impartial.
“So, Papa, you said you wanted our advice,” Elizabeth resumed the conversation.
“Yes. Some days ago, I received a letter from Uncle Thomas asking whether he might come and live with us.”
“What are you talking about?” Mrs Bennet cried, making no attempt to conceal her anger. She half rose from her chair before allowing herself to fall back into it again, plainly preparedfor battle. “Have you lost your senses, Mr Bennet? In this house, where we scarcely have room enough for ourselves?”
The girls looked at their father apprehensively. Mr Bennet remained calm, but the way their mother was addressing him seemed almost inconceivable. Their parents disagreed from time to time, but even when voices were raised, some degree of politeness generally remained between them.
“Please sit down, Mrs Bennet,” he said, still remarkably calm, almost amused.
“And to have one more person at breakfast and dinner every day besides!”
“But Mama, Uncle Thomas is the reason we still possess Longbourn,” Elizabeth said.
“You stay out of this, young lady,” Mrs Bennet snapped, growing even more agitated. “This is not a discussion for children. Indeed, I do not know why we are speaking of it before them at all, Mr Bennet.”
“Because, my dear, they are no longer children, and Uncle Thomas’s arrival will require something from all of them.”
“What precisely?” Mrs Bennet asked, her eyes narrowing dangerously. Her daughters knew the sign well; it sometimes preceded a crisis of nerves. Mr Bennet, however, appeared entirely untroubled.
“Enough, madam,” he said. “If Uncle Thomas is to live at Longbourn, all of us must contribute towards making his stay agreeable.”
“No!” Mrs Bennet cried again, preparing once more to rise.
“Please remain seated, madam. This conversation is not concluded.” This time, there was far more authority in his voice. “We are a family. As Lydia observed, perhaps a new style of behaviour is required even amongst ourselves. We allowed youto choose your husbands freely, and now I ask whether you are willing to invite Uncle Thomas to live with us.”
For once, Mr Bennet plainly wished his meaning to be fully understood. His daughters looked at him in astonishment, uncertain of his intentions.
“Are you truly asking each of us what we think of it?” Elizabeth asked.
“Yes, my dear.”
