Elizabeth, Jane, Kitty, and Lydia had safely returned to Longbourn from their visit to Gracechurch Street, where they were welcomed home most kindly. Their party in the dining room, as it was quite large, discussed various different topics throughout the evening from the new bonnets at their local tailor shop to the officers that Kitty and Lydia were so very fond of.
Unfortunately, I had the great misfortune of being sat next to Lydia. My youngest sister would often speak non-stop of many topics that were never of much import to me. This time she spoke of their experiences as they traveled and how she and Kitty were, yet again, very childish and ill-mannered. They used the blinds in the coach very ill and she made claim that she had behaved very handsomely when they reached the George, but I rarely believe a single word Lydia says as she has the type of memory that changes everything she does into something good. No doubt, she was not the one to treat anyone to a nice cold luncheon. In fact, I am rather positive it was more likely the other way around, where those with her treated her to a nice cold luncheon.
“I wish you had gone with us, for we had such fun!”
I responded with as much sincerity as possible, “Far be it from me, my dear sister, to depreciate such pleasures. They would doubtless be congenial with the generality of female minds. But I confess they would have no charms for me -- I should infinitely prefer a book.”
As expected, my sister who never listens to anyone but herself, ignored my answer and continued to babble on like a brook. As common as this occurrence is, I never allow myself to be affected by my sister’s poor skills of speech or etiquette. She was, after all, allowed to do all manner of things that could embarrass the family.
I looked around our table of guests and glanced down at my hands in my lap, here I was, sitting properly as a lady should, but my mother was much more enthralled with Lydia and Kitty’s escapades and father was so invested in Lizzy that he rarely had time for me. I smiled, exactly as I like it. I am alone to be myself and will not be bothered by those who believe they know better than I do. When you read as many books as I do, you gain a certain set of skills that incline you to stay silent until the opportune time, which rarely occurred in this, my very silly family.
