Cousin Prudence (16 page)

“Then other than caring for the trees well enough to keep them alive, might it not be a good idea to entirely abandon hope of fruit and instead to bring in troughs to

grow common vegetables under glass to lift their temperature closer to what they may expect in a warmer year?” asked Prudence.

He stared, much struck.

“It is a brilliant idea…. I shall too purchase as much glass as I may to perhaps erect some kind of structure over as much as is possible of the home farm,” he said.  “Then at least we may bring some vegetables to a state that they are edible…. And my tenants may not starve.   I have already directed the sowing of more turnips than usual because of their ability to withstand cold, and to at least maintain the livestock; the men are sowing barley and oats, which I have noticed thrives further north that we may have some sort of crop coming to fruition, and if any grumble to eat rye bread or barley loaves, I say it is better to eat bread than to starve.”

“I think you are a very farsighted and wise man
,” said Prudence, “Cousin George has also sown oats this year for there is always pottage; I think you might exchange ideas profitably.  He is as I understand considered a very model landlord and his factor, Mr Larkin a man of superior understanding and good sense, if lacking in social manner.”

Alverston laughed.

“And there are those who might also describe me thus when I am in an ill tempered mood!  I shall indeed speak long with Knightley.  My lands in the north are largely on lime, which at least drains well in this incessant damp; but I am sure we shall have much to consider if we talk through our common problem.”

“It is the tenant yeomen farmers that most concern George
,” said Prudence, “there is a family called Martin, who have rented the same farm time out of mind, and they are proud people; they are not strictly George’s dependants and must surely suffer from these continual years of poor harvest; for with the colder weather of the end of last summer and autumn the harvest was I believe in many cases battered down by rain.”

“And now this dry fog… Benjamin Franklin is said to have linked a volcanic eruption in
Iceland to the cold of the whole 1794, which I recall for being a student at the time; though the winter has not been so cold as it was two winters ago when there was a frost fair on the Thames.  Who can say what causes the vagaries of the weather?” sighed Alverston “We must merely do our best to weather the weather as one might say,” he sighed again. “I shall take the colts back to my own stables and walk over to speak with Knightley; then I believe I may go back to my estates in order to implement your very excellent idea concerning using glass as protection.  Erecting extra greenhouses will at least be a means of providing employment for some of the poor fellows who find themselves out of work since disbanded from the army. I have a sergeant who served with me whom I shall place in charge.  And if it means that we may save more crops then it is worth while to do… and we must wait and see whether next year will be better.  Come; let us hurry back so that I may set off for the North in good time to be well on my way before nightfall.”

George and Alverston spoke long and in the end Alverston abandoned the idea about getting on his way before nightfall, and determined instead to go early to bed and be on the road by dawn.

“I too should like to return to Highbury and speak with William Larkin,” said George, “you ladies will, I feel sure, be perfectly comfortable if I leave you for a day; if you need anything I am sure you might apply to Lady Katherine for succour.  Prudence has had a very good idea regarding using glass, and though Donwell Abbey has but a small conservatory, that might as well be put to good use; and if panes are constructed and laid on low unmortared brick walls, the spring planting might be brought along by such means for a month or two at least at Donwell and Hartfield.”

The family retired to bed much more soberly than might be expected of a family enjoying the London Season; but as George said, though there seemed little change to the gaiety of the social gatherings, for people whose livelihood was the land, there were other considerations to take into account besides enjoyment and pleasure.

And Prudence reflected that if many starved because there was not the food to be had, this too would affect all industry equally for the lack of spending that would ensue.

Chapter 21

It was a little flat, thought Prudence, with Alverston away; but on the other hand she would have thought less of him had he not gone to arrange to see how much he might improve the chances of his crops.  She hoped and prayed that her idea would work, at least enough to alleviate the problem a little.

George had returned late at night the same day that he had left, in fairly good spirits for being able to leave everything in the capable hands of William Larkin at Donwell and his brother John at Hartfield.  He reported that Mr Woodhouse was missing Emma but was much cheered by the presence of Isabella and his grandchildren; and that small Henry had rent his pantaloons climbing after a jay’s nest and had broken the parlour window sniping at a pigeon with a catapult and had been taken firmly in hand by Mr Larkin to train – as he seemed to wish to take up hunting – in dealing with vermin in a more regular manner so he might learn to shoot under stern and expert supervision.

Emma hoped Henry might not kill anybody and brightened and added that perhaps he might wing Mrs Elton; and George told her off for such Unchristian thoughts and of a vicar’s wife.

The Knightley ménage were to attend a ball in honour of Miss Fairlees and that must take place without Alverston to lend his presence to it; and the Knightleys were bid to come and dine at midday first and change at Lady Katherine’s residence.  As Arthur had asked that Miss Bullivant be invited, Lady Katherine had, a trifle reluctantly, extended that nuncheon invitation to Miss Bullivant  and her aunt as they were much in the protection of the Knightleys; though from what she had seen at the informal rout, Miss Bullivant was prettily enough behaved if rather insipid.

As the same description might equally suit Kitty, Lady Katherine sighed.

Actually Kitty was more insipid than Clara Bullivant who at least became animated on the subject of her family.  Giving Kitty backbone was an uphill struggle!

The presentation Ball was to be a glittering affair, with some two hundred couples standing up on the dance floor and to feast at dinner.  Lady Katherine believed in doing things on a large scale; and Clara whispered with some disapproval that the cost of the candles alone would feed two poor families for a year.

As there must be quite fifty pounds of candles in the big candelabra over the various rooms that were open, Prudence would not dispute that statement; but it was not her business to quibble and so she said to Clara.

“If the rich gave everything away to the poor it would encourage laziness and profligacy
,” said Prudence, “and the rich would then no longer be available either as employers or to give to charity, however spurious their reasons.  You should concentrate on using such an occasion as this to find that rich husband you need and perhaps to turn his mind to social ventures.  And actually the cost of the candles are keeping candle makers in work which means that it is feeding the poor.  All things in society are dependant on each other.  My father was condemned by candle makers for lighting his factory with gas, because his concern was for the eyesight of his workers; you can’t please everyone all the time.”

“How cogently you explain things Miss Blenkinsop!” said Clara
, “you are right of course; it is better to do what one can than to make plaint.  I could only wish, however, that I felt comfortable eating a large meal, knowing that others are starving.”

“Then ask Mr Alver if any left overs that might be normally disposed of not re-used – and you will find in a thrifty
household much will reappear in ragouts and

curries and stews – should be distributed to the poor of
London,” suggested Prudence.

Either Arthur would be talked into pursuing reforming zeal or he would be put off the poor girl before her own heart became too deeply engaged.

Where Emma was inclined to match make, Prudence considered that potential lovers should be flung together to discover all the virtues AND faults each possessed.   Even as she intended to throw together Kitty and the estimable Mr Penrose who had been much struck by the pretty heiress at the rout.

Lady Katherine asked,

“Matchmaking, Miss Blenkinsop?”

“No Ma’am; pushing the children together long enough for them to find out what they dislike in each other
,” said Prudence.  Lady Katherine gave a guffaw of laughter.

“Ah, a pragmatist after my own heart my dear!” she said.  “You are quite a find; I am glad
Alverston stopped his team in time and did not run you over.  It has the merit of simple yet profound wisdom….what do you know of young Penrose?”

“Only that he danced with me once at Almack’s and did not make me want to yawn as most of them did
,” said Prudence.

“Naughty puss!” said Lady Katherine without any censure in her tone. “I wager Alverston did not make you yawn!”

“No ma’am; but he does not count in with the mass of young fools who I fear I have trouble telling apart,” said Prudence, “he is a man of distinction, no manners but the soul of courtesy, apparently bored and yet full of interesting stories and knowledge.”

“So what did you talk about when he took you driving behind those infamous colts of his?” demanded the old lady.

“Farming,” said Prudence.

“Stap me!” the dowager fell back on an expression of her youth, not considered ladylike to use even then.  Lady Katherine had been considered a wild piece in her time.  “Well if he hasn’t popped the question yet the man doesn’t know when he’s well off – a girl with sense who’ll put up with his wild horses
AND talk farming….he’d be an idiot to let you get away.”

Prudence flushed.

“My birth…”

“Your birth, my dear child, was between your mother’s legs in the regular fashion!” said Lady Katherine
, “and your manners are good enough so let’s hear no more of that!  Do you know why Gervase has left town by the way?”

“He’s gone to see if he can’t get some crops grown under glass to combat the inclement weather” said Prudence “It was an idea I came up with that he has expanded upon in a most exciting way!”

“Lud!  He should have taken you with him and arranged a nuptial when he’d finished ploughing” said Lady Katherine.  “La child, I’ve made you blush;  but then I am accounted the only one who can talk even Gervase to a standstill. I apologise!  Come now, let us see who you shall dance with that I may tell Gervase all about your conquests to make him jealous!”

“I have no desire to …..”

Prudence gave up.  Evidently Alverston got his managing ways from his Aunt Mouser; and she was still wondering whether or not there had been a
double entendre
in the comment about ploughing!

Prudence danced with a good number of people; including Mr Alver and Mr Penrose who were polite youths and too much sticklers of good ton to be seen singling out a single lady.  Mr Alver even danced with Lady Elvira who was there on the suggestion of Georgie, who felt that she had an obligation to an old school friend; and he had his face slapped by that lady.

He retired rubbing his face.

“Arthur, what did you say to irritate the Bindweed so much?” demanded George.

“HAH! That’s a good name for her
,” said Arthur, “she was asking me where Uncle Gervase was so I told her he’d gone to Lincolnshire; and she asked why so I said to fondle his turnips and build glasshouses which is more or less what I understand him to be up to, so she made disbelieving noises and implied there was some other reason, and I’m afraid I got a bit angry and said maybe it was to avoid her.  So she slapped me.”

“Intemperate
,” said George.  “Come and have a glass of lemonade old man; your aunt’s kitchen has a capital recipe, there’s a pinch of ginger in it.”

“I know
,” said Arthur, “she provides ginger water in quantity for the labourers in hot weather too, because she reckons it prevents stomach cramps that cold water can cause.  Not much likelihood of overheating
this
year though!”

“No indeed
,” said George, “which is why Alverston has returned to his estates to do what he can…. I trust he will not be entrapped by Lady Elvira.”