Page 208 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

Lydia asked, “Are there many families like the Webbs?”

“More than you might suppose, Miss Lydia.”

“Mr. Fernside, would you provide me with the names of the other families you have in mind?” Mary asked. “We should like to help where we can over the summer.”

“I shall have a list for you by the end of the week.”

“Thank you, sir.”

* * *

Mr. Fernside's list arrived the following morning, and Mary began her visits that week.

She and Lydia took provisions to the Webbs and a hearty beef stew to Mrs. Turner, while Jane saw that whatever could reasonably be spared from the Longbourn kitchen was made available for Mary’s charitable work.

When Mary encountered an injury requiring more than ordinary care, she brought the matter to Elizabeth, who made the necessary visit herself.

Late one morning, they stopped at a cottage occupied by one of their father's tenants and his family. Mrs. Dawson welcomed them inside, where three of her daughters were helping with the younger children.

While Mary spoke with their mother, Lydia's attention settled on the eldest girl. Her gown was plainly meant for a smaller child. The hem had been let down until there was almost nothing left to turn, and the sleeves ended well above her wrists. Her younger sister's gown was scarcely better.

Lydia looked more closely. “Have you no other gown?”

“This is my Sunday one as well, miss.”

The girl was fourteen, only a year younger than Lydia.

Lydia ran her eye over the gown again, taking in the narrow shoulders and shortened sleeves.

On returning to Longbourn, she went directly upstairs and opened her wardrobe.

Gowns crowded the space. Lydia drew out one after another until several lay across her bed. Some had been worn only a handful of times. She picked up a sprigged muslin, considered its width and length, then spread it flat across the counterpane.

She found Mary downstairs.

“How many daughters did Mrs. Dawson say she had?”

“Five. The younger two are still children.”

“I have gowns I do not wear.” Lydia unfolded the sprigged muslin across the table. “The eldest is shorter than I am and much thinner, so there is plenty of cloth. I can cut this down and make it fit her.”

Mary looked at the muslin spread across the table. “I think she would be very pleased with it.”

“I have others.”

Lydia went upstairs and returned with two more gowns over her arm. She laid them beside the first and began examining the skirts.

“I do not need all of these. Mamma bought me far too many. If I do the cutting, Jane and I can set the sleeves and collars, and there will be plenty for the rest of you to do.”

Elizabeth ran her hand over the sprigged muslin. “You will need the girls' measurements.”

“I shall take them when Mary goes again.”

Lydia gathered the gowns together, then looked toward the stairs.

“Mamma had more gowns than any of us.”

The room fell silent.