[ The scene is such a mess of bodies clamoring to see, to comment, and to be excited that it's not until Mr. Bennet finds his way through the crowd that Mary can follow to see what's happened in her absence. The way Mr. Cartwright is positioned causes her some alarm that only increases once he stands back up only to bend over again. Violence feels so foreign to her growing up here, but now she realizes that outside her small circle of acquaintances that this sort of thing must occur fairly regularly. Men drink, incur debts, and lash out as a result. They have bad habits that instead of examining and curbing, they fully indulge in. As the story is recounted Mary looks from the confident, resolute face of the speaker to the disgraceful soldiers glaring back at him and she feels a strong urge to see justice be served. These men must be put back on the path of good conduct or they shall fall even farther until they are discharged.
The talk of legal action causes one soldier to start stuttering that he can't while the other goes pale but says nothing. There are stories behind their reactions; stories that many lingering around the scene would love to know so they can have new victims for their gossip for weeks to come, but Mary is not among those interested. Her dark eyes focus in on Mr. Cartwright and she feels something inside her twist almost painfully. She's never been known for having strong emotions. Looking at things in a detached, logical manner has always served her well, but something is changing and although she doesn't understand it, she doesn't shun it either.
As the constable informs the soldiers that their colonel will be informed of this, Mary moves forward. As the soldiers say they want everything forgotten and this has to go no further, she stops before Mr. Cartwright and looks up at him with a look of firm decision on her face. When she speaks, her voice is soft, yet determined. ]
You shall come back to Longbourn with us, sir. It is closer than your home and there you can find rest while your injuries are tended to.
[ Naturally her mother will not stand for this, but before she's managed more than a few words, her husband's voice cuts in to say of course Mr. Cartwright will come. He insists upon it. After all, he can invite whomever he likes to his house. Mrs. Bennet scowls so hard it could probably set fires from the inferno burning within her, but neither husband nor daughter pay her any heed. Mary is growing accustomed to tuning her out. ]
no subject
The talk of legal action causes one soldier to start stuttering that he can't while the other goes pale but says nothing. There are stories behind their reactions; stories that many lingering around the scene would love to know so they can have new victims for their gossip for weeks to come, but Mary is not among those interested. Her dark eyes focus in on Mr. Cartwright and she feels something inside her twist almost painfully. She's never been known for having strong emotions. Looking at things in a detached, logical manner has always served her well, but something is changing and although she doesn't understand it, she doesn't shun it either.
As the constable informs the soldiers that their colonel will be informed of this, Mary moves forward. As the soldiers say they want everything forgotten and this has to go no further, she stops before Mr. Cartwright and looks up at him with a look of firm decision on her face. When she speaks, her voice is soft, yet determined. ]
You shall come back to Longbourn with us, sir. It is closer than your home and there you can find rest while your injuries are tended to.
[ Naturally her mother will not stand for this, but before she's managed more than a few words, her husband's voice cuts in to say of course Mr. Cartwright will come. He insists upon it. After all, he can invite whomever he likes to his house. Mrs. Bennet scowls so hard it could probably set fires from the inferno burning within her, but neither husband nor daughter pay her any heed. Mary is growing accustomed to tuning her out. ]