Writing and Reveling

It's worth remembering that Shirley Jackson got an onslaught of hate mail when this story was first published, including from her own parents who told her, "Dad and I did not care at all for your story in The New Yorker. It does seem, dear, that this gloomy kind of story is what all you young people think about these days. Why don't you write something to cheer people up?"

Today at Pemberley, The 27th of June:

The Darcys spent the day so fully occupied with their separate duties that they did not see each other once between breakfast and dinner. This was a state of affairs which happened infrequently but always put Mr. Darcy in a terrible mood.

Mr. Darcy’s time was taken up by meetings as several of his tenants had questions about the upcoming fair and the type of persons the festivities were expected to attract. After giving them his every reassurance that their property would be kept safe from thieves and vagrants, Mr. Darcy managed to calm the worst of the speculation. If he thought to himself that the fair was held every year without incident and the tenants were being busy bodies, then he kept such thoughts contained.

Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy and Miss Georgiana Darcy walked to the village together, but separated upon their arrival. Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy went to the village hall to discuss her plan to bring a traveling theater troupe with the hall’s steward.

Miss Georgiana Darcy met with other young women of the neighboring households who sought to look through the shops and gossip. The conversation quickly turned to a rumor one of the ladies had overheard from her father. A regiment would soon be stationed nearby for the fair. Miss Georgiana did not join in the others’ excitement about this news. Instead, she kept a polite if strained expression and remained quiet until a different subject was put forward.

Today at Pemberley, The 26th of June:

The Darcys’ footman was kept busy carrying letters back and forth from Pemberley to their neighbors, the Buxtons all day. He was in a jovial mood from his assignment, even when he was on his fourth such trip. Both a tremendous enjoyer of horse riding and of the Buxtons’ housemaid, the footman’s good spirits increased with every letter entrusted to him.

Shortly, before dinner Mrs. Darcy and Mrs. Buxton had determined a course of action, resolving to set the players up in a village hall near the fair for a fortnight. They would commission them to do a comedy and a tragedy on alternating days in addition to a short pantomime inspired by local matters.

Furthermore, the footman had obtained a promise from the Buxtons’ housemaid that she should write to him at her next opportunity.

Today at Pemberley, the 25th of June:

Breakfast was served late in the morning out of deference to the Darcys spending the previous evening at the Buxtons’ Midsummer Ball. Mr. Darcy and Miss Georgiana Darcy slowly consumed very plain toast. While, Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy’s breakfast was only coffee.

Few words were said, the silence lethargic and comfortable with the shared knowledge that the night before had been well spent. 

Then Mrs. Darcy suddenly interrupted the quiet, “I forgot! I need to bring up a matter with you that Julia Buxton brought to me.”

Mr. Darcy winced at her volume but otherwise waited patiently for her to continue. When she did not, he said, “Yes?”

“She wants to bring a group of traveling players to the area during the time of the upcoming fair and has asked if we would join her family in sponsoring the performances. I thought it was a wonderful idea, but what are your thoughts?”

“An expense, to be sure,” Mr. Darcy said, “but one that should bring delight to our neighbors and tenants alike. I can hardly argue against such a thing.”

“Then it is settled. I will write to Julia. I am sure she will be happy to hear.” Mrs. Darcy resumed drinking her coffee.

“I am sure she will still be in her bed, awaiting a headache powder.”

Today at Pemberely, The 24th of June:

This St. John’s Eve the Buxtons’ hosted a Midsummer Ball with the gaiety and delights for which the hostess is known. The doors opened at seven in the evening and the last guest did not depart until after four in the morning. 

The Darcys were among those who left between the hours of one and two in the morning with Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy gossiping and matchmaking with the other ladies of the neighborhood until her husband had spoken on six separate occasions of longing for his bed.

Miss Georgiana Darcy was a popular dance partner as always, though she was often seen tucked away in corners where she might have a chance to talk to friends before she was once more obligated to join in the dancing.

The ball’s theme was an ode to Shakespeare’s play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream with wild flower arrangements, Greek-styled decor and references to the play’s lovers that bordered on the impolite. Through out the night several different versions of the Fairy Dance were played with Mrs. Darcy’s laughter ringing out at the commencement of each one.

When the midnight hour neared, a roaring bonfire was lit. Mr. Darcy spent a great deal of time admiring it, perhaps because the other guests quickly lost interest in it or perhaps merely the fundamental appeal of fire.

Prior to their departure, every guest paid the Buxtons the highest compliments, to this the Darcys were no exception. As they said their goodbyes, Mrs. Buxton told Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy, “I will await your letter eagerly.” 

Mr. Darcy was too exhausted to wonder at what this mysterious pronouncement might portend.

Today at Pemberley, The 22nd of June:

A letter arrived from Colonel Fitzwilliam while the Darcys were gathered listening to Miss Georgiana Darcy practice at her pianoforte. The young woman halted her playing and joined Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy in asking that Mr. Darcy read the letter to them.

“This I suppose is my duty as Master of the House,” Mr. Darcy said as he opened the letter.

Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy held her hand outreached, proposing in a joking manner, “If you would rather be spared the arduous effort, then I will read it in your stead.”

“I am not half such a fool,” Mr. Darcy said, “as to forget my previous experiences with how inaccurately you summarize the letters of others.”

Mrs. Darcy laughed. “Brevity is the soul of wit.”

“But often the enemy of common understanding,” Mr. Darcy countered. Then he began to read, “My dearest cousins, I am safely returned to London and the journey was relatively enjoyable. I have spoken to my older brother. He was very intrigued to learn what we discovered about our great uncle, the family pirate as I had mentioned to him that was my purpose in going to Pemberley. I have told him a much abridged version which I have below summarized—”

Mrs. Darcy here interrupted, “My love, do you intend to read the summary verbatim?”

“Of course.”

“But all of us who are present know the full account,” Mrs. Darcy argued.

Mr. Darcy put on airs of exasperation that did not entirely mask his enjoyment, “I am reading what is written. Is that not what you asked of me?”

Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy waved her hand in defeat. “Carry on, if you must. Though I feel my understanding becoming more common with each word.”