Persuasion 200: “We Cannot Possibly Do Without Mrs. Clay” by Diana Birchall

Sir Walter Eliot 

“Elizabeth,” said Lady Russell, “I wish to have some talk with you.”

There was that in her voice, that informed even Elizabeth, who was by no means perceptive, that the talk would be unpleasant.

“Oh!” said she, “surely you mean – I will send Anne. She is only scribbling and turning over some old papers. There is no harm in interrupting her. She does nothing of any consequence, I can assure you. Now that we have let Kellynch we can have no farther duties to trouble us. Do you want Anne?”

“I will see her presently,” Lady Russell replied, “but it is with you that I wish to discuss a serious subject – Mrs. Clay.”

“Mrs. Clay!” Elizabeth rose to her feet in some indignation, smoothing out her fine watered-silk skirts. “Why will people always say things about her? She, the cleverest and yet the most effacing person – and so useful to my father and myself. I warn you, Lady Russell, to take care what you say about Mrs. Clay. I will brook no unkind words about the dearest friend I have.”

Lady Russell leaned forward earnestly. “Indeed, I hope she is not that, Elizabeth. You have only known the lady a few months, if I am not mistaken. I don’t deny what you say, about her being clever; I am afraid she is altogether too clever. Her influence with your father – “

“Lady Russell, I will hear no more,” snapped Elizabeth. “My father! With his mind as clear as possible, and as unvarying in his opinions. I assure you, my father is not susceptible to even a pretty woman, and with his nice notions about position, he would never be tempted – “

At this moment, a laughter and chattering were heard in the hall, and a moment later, the selfsame Mrs. Clay entered the room, only subduing her blithe laugh on catching sight of Lady Russell. Behind her was Sir Walter, his beautifully arranged hair, and his snowy linen neckerchief, looking a little disarrayed. He appeared discomposed, and only after a moment said, “Oh! Lady Russell. I did not know you were here. I am glad Elizabeth has been entertaining you. Where is Anne?”

“She is never where she should be,” answered Elizabeth, annoyed.

“I believe she is in your library, Sir Walter, sorting your books and copying your catalogue. I made note of where she was when we passed by on the way to – the garden, you know. We were having a little walk in the garden, were we not? Nothing is more refreshing, or better for good Sir Walter’s health than a little exercise; we love taking it together, and we may as well enjoy the air, you know, as we will soon not be living in the country.”

“Mrs. Clay always thinks of the well-being of others. I am sure she has been advising me very wisely about my health,” Sir Walter said to Lady Russell. “I had an eruption that – well, it might have been unpleasant, but she knew so well what to do for it.”

“Your face is looking very clear,” said Lady Russell, taking a critical survey of his features, “I do not see a trace of any thing.”

Sir Walter cleared his throat. “It was not – that is, it was in the lower regions. But Mrs. Clay has been married, so it was not improper to consult her; and then it is all in the family, as it were, as she is almost like another sister to Elizabeth.”

“Indeed she is,” said Elizabeth, going over to Mrs. Clay and fondly passing her arm around her waist. They gazed affectionately at each other.

Lady Russell was shocked at this open preference, but found her voice. “That was what I wanted to speak to you about, Elizabeth, and I may as well speak openly. My dear Mrs. Clay, I know you will be very useful to the family in Bath, but surely Anne – Elizabeth’s own sister – deserves the preference.”

Sir Walter Eliot Bath

“Oh, no, Lady Russell,” Sir Walter objected, “you do not know how full of energy and capacity Mrs. Clay is, and how useful she will be in all the little business matters of settling in a new place. Anne is so languid, and would never be of any use in arranging the furniture, or helping us to cultivate the great people of the place.”

“My father is right,” nodded Elizabeth, “Anne is always off in a corner moping with her books, and she hates company. Indeed, we do not need Anne at all, she would only be a burden. Mrs. Clay will be such an addition in our society!”

Lady Russell was silent. She would not say, in Mrs. Clay’s presence, how very improper she thought it for a lawyer’s daughter, whose own marriage had not prospered, to be associating with the Elliots, or to what that association might tend.

She could only speak of Anne. “But Anne is your sister,” she said helplessly, “and so interested in every thing about your family doing well. Only think of the lists she made up for your retrenchments.”

“Yes, such a list,” said Sir Walter contemptuously. “Give up tobacco – and tea – and hair-powder – and new-lining the carriage, and velvet suits for the footmen…”

“And my own spring wardrobe,” added Elizabeth. “Only think! She wanted me to make do with my old dresses and pelisses. I almost wonder, at times, where Anne was brought up. She will be no asset in society, and never does a single useful thing I assure you.”

Light footsteps were heard, and Anne peeped around the door. In her arms was a great red book. “May I come in?” she inquired. “I have been going over these books of my father’s, and I have found a whole sheaf of unpaid tradesmen’s-bills, inside this volume of the Peerage. What would you like to do with them?”

“Oh! Anne,” said her father impatiently, “do not bother about such things. Into the fire with them.”

“There is no fire,” Elizabeth said in irritation, “she countermanded them, you know, except at night. I never heard of a younger sister doing such a thing in my life. It surpasses any thing.”

Lady Russell, distressed, looked at Anne, and saw her own distress reflected in her pale features. “I believe that was a suggestion of mine,” she said hastily. “The bills – ought not they to go to Mr. Shepherd?”

“That is a good thought,” said Mrs. Clay brightly. “If you will give them to me, Miss Anne, I will take them to my father, and Sir Walter need be bothered by them no more.”

“Dear Mrs. Clay,” sighed Sir Walter in relief, “always so helpful. No, Elizabeth and I cannot possibly do without you.”

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Author’s note:  I will have the happiness of being visiting in England on the day this appears on Austen Variations, but will answer any questions or comments on my return the following day! 

 

31 comments

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  1. I love the mention of “eruptions” – too funny! It was fun to hear Mrs. Clay’s “voice.” I’m not sure she has any dialogue in the book.

      • Diana Birchall on August 14, 2014 at 11:10 am
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      Thanks, Susan – I think Mrs. Clay has only one speech in Persuasion, when she defends working men (“The lawyer plods, quite careworn”). Even so, Jane Austen manages to make her a piece of work!

  2. I don’t know whether to laugh, cry or hold my head and groan! Elizabeth and Sir Walter are so horrible! Poor Anne!

    A great sketch, Diana! I love the way you have Anne be the scapegoat for all the family’s forced economizing!!!

    • Linda Clark on August 14, 2014 at 11:05 am
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    Although this scene was not in the original work, I can see how it very easily could have been. Elizabeth and her father were such egotists they never could see the ulterior designs Mrs. Clay or the younger Mr. Elliot had on them. And of course, only Lady Russell would stand up for Anne.
    I have enjoyed these scenes as Persuasion is even more of a favorite of mine than P&P (which has many, many published “what if” variations and Persuasion does not). That’s why I am enjoying these so much! Thank you.

    1. Thank you, Linda. I am enjoying this project too, exactly for the reasons you mention – Persuasion is wonderful, and has been much less explored by us variationists than P&P.

    • Diana Birchall on August 14, 2014 at 11:11 am
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    Thank you, Monica! The thing is, Jane Austen gives you so much to work with, doesn’t she.

  3. Sir Walter romping in the garden and discussing his “lower regions” with Mrs. Clay? I must say, I find it all quite shocking! Haha! Well, as long as his neck cloth is still snowy and his hair perfectly arranged – that’s what really matters. Thanks for this scene, Diana!

  4. Well done Diana! This is so funny! Mrs Clay inspecting his lower regions. So that is his neck under the cravat? Or did she have to inspect his lower, lower regions to make sure all is well? There are parts he would have trouble seeing himself – even with a looking glass. LOL

    There Lady Russell goes again mentioning retrenchment – and linking Anne to the evil word. That hurt rather than helped – is she so thick? She needs to come up with some euphemism for retrenchment that Sir Walter would have less reaction to. What odds would you give that the tradesmens’ bills will never be given to Mr Shepherd? Another great post!

      • Diana Birchall on August 15, 2014 at 2:14 am
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      Thanks, Dave, I’m tickled to death that you were amused! 🙂 And yes, Lady Russell IS thick – Jane Austen says she’s of “sound rather than quick abilities,” and that’s her all over: meaning well but making things worse. As with poor Anne’s engagement, come to think of it…

      • Sheila L. M. on August 15, 2014 at 9:03 pm
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      I thought the same thing about the tradesmen’s bills…will be burned before they go anywhere else and she will think she is saving the day? Out of sight – out of mind?

    • Deborah on August 15, 2014 at 6:10 am
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    this scene had me wryly shaking my head. I agree with Dave that mentioning Anne’s involvement in the retrenchment was more harmful than helpful. Dense woman. And poor Anne. What her family thinks of her…”She does nothing of any consequence” and ” we do not need Anne at all, she would only be a burden. “. I don’t know how she endured without feeling sorry for herself. And how dense and blinded with vanity are Elizabeth and Sir Walter when it comes to Mrs. Clay. That she is “always so helpful”. Hmmmm….I agree with Dave…which lower regions? They so conveniently, in this case, forget the class distinctions, which is amazing considering how “important” they consider their she seems to stroke their egos…maybe that’s why she is considered indispensable.

    Thank you so much for this scene, Diana. I was shaking my head while chuckling as I could fully envision the scene.

    • Deborah on August 15, 2014 at 6:17 am
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    Sorry, part of my last thought is missing….They so conveniently forget the class distinctions, which is amazing, considering how “important” they consider their position in society to be. She seems to stroke their egos…..

      • Diana Birchall on August 15, 2014 at 3:13 pm
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      Shaking your head and chuckling is great, Deborah, and made my day! I am so glad Jane Austen created these characters for us to play with.

  5. I feel bad for Anne, the only sensible person in the family but badly treated and looked down upon by her father and elder sister. They prefer to keep company with someone who is not of the same blood. I wonder where Anne gets the strength to persevere in her difficult situation.

      • Diana Birchall on August 15, 2014 at 3:12 pm
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      I think she gets her strength from her memory of her mother, don’t you, Luthien?

      1. If I’m in her shoes, I could cry when I’m alone but show a brave face in front of my tormentors. Other times I would be furious with them and thought of living away from them and let them face the music by themselves. I could be evil sometimes when things are not fair.

        Anyway great chapter, Diana. Lol at eruptions. Haha 😀

          • Diana Birchall on August 16, 2014 at 9:53 am
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          Luthien, the odd thing about Anne is that she never seems to have any feelings, unlike the rest of us. Maybe that’s why Jane Austen said she was taking a heroine who is “almost too good for me.”

            • Deborah on August 16, 2014 at 10:29 am
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            I wonder ifbot is possible that after the fiasco with the broken engagement with Wentworth, If she just turned off her emotions. In a way, just giving up and going through the motions of what was expected and it just became a habit. I have done that and sometimes for years at a time.

              • Diana Birchall on August 16, 2014 at 10:58 am

              That explanation really resonates, Deborah – hadn’t thought of it but it’s terribly perceptive. Not goody-goody, so much as numb. Yes.

            • Diana Birchall on August 16, 2014 at 3:58 pm
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            Sorry, I meant EVIL feelings!

    • Stephanie Mudd Carrico on August 15, 2014 at 6:50 pm
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    A very funny scene …but very enlightening too….how can two such snobbish and vain people overlook all of Anne’s stellar qualities ,Indeed, we do not need Anne at all, she would only be a burden. Mrs. Clay will be such an addition in our society!” yet fall for Mrs. Clays machinations…oh poor Anne…Lady Russell is of no help eithet..but soon they will be gone…yet Anne will still care for the welfare…when she should just think “good riddance”

      • Diana Birchall on August 15, 2014 at 6:57 pm
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      Thanks, Stephanie, I’m glad you enjoyed it. Jane Austen set up these characters so interestingly and amusingly, it is great fun to play with them!

    • Sheila L. M. on August 15, 2014 at 9:13 pm
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    You wrote this exactly as I could see JA doing so if she had included such a scene. That family duo, with the support of Mrs. Clay, cannot be so dense. They are only in denial about how their habits are what got them where they are but as long as each plays their part in kowtowing to each other and placing the blame any where else, i.e., tradesmen should be thankful for our business, Anne is no help/only a burden, etc.

    Eruptions…LOL and Mrs. Clay giving Sir Walter on his lower regions – Oh, my, the pictures drawn in my mind!

    Lady Russell – really, put your foot in your mouth and HUSH – you only make Anne sink lower in value to any other family member when it is only Anne who talks of retrenchment and put forth ideas, which were yours to begin with.

    Good chapter in filling in the chinks. Thank you. Hope the trip to England was a success.

      • Diana Birchall on August 15, 2014 at 9:23 pm
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      Thank you very much, Sheila. Jane Austen did it so well, these characters really lend themselves to being continued just as they are! And thanks for asking about my trip. Despite the long and tiring flight, the trip was intensely joyful, and I loved it. This one was all about friends, and I visited friends in Devon, Oxford and Cambridge…and also got in some country walks, a few museums and stately homes, and all the scones and clotted cream I could “sponge”!

        • Sheila L. M. on August 15, 2014 at 9:41 pm
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        Wow! I am envious as your trip sounds so “delicious” – clotted cream and scones! Warm? I have made my own scones in the past and they are so much better if warm from the oven. And those communities…I can only dream.

          • Diana Birchall on August 15, 2014 at 9:45 pm
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          I’m going to write a blog and include all the great stuff I ate, Sheila! Scones were warm when home made, not usually in a restaurant, but always good. Especially loved some cheese scones I had for breakfast in the Michaelhouse cafe in Cambridge.

    • junewilliams7 on August 17, 2014 at 6:14 am
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    Ooh, this is brilliant writing but it makes me so irritated at Elizabeth and her father! Lady Catherine would be appalled at them for associating with a tradesman’s daughter. Has Sir Walter forgotten that Mrs Clay is not good enough to be listed in the Peerage book?

    Thank you for the visit, although I must say I did not enjoy it! So very tempted to slap Elizabeth and Sir Walter….

    Diana, if you are able, would you consider writing more of Mrs Clay? I wonder what her children and father think of her eventual fate.

      • Diana Birchall on August 17, 2014 at 6:46 am
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      Thanks, June, contrary to the usual order of things I’m very glad you did not enjoy it! It would hardly be healthy to actually enjoy the machinations of Mrs. Clay, about which I would indeed like to imagine more…much more…what a good idea! Thank you for it.

      • Diana Birchall on August 30, 2014 at 12:02 am
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      June, sorry I didn’t see this and answer sooner. Thank you for your kind comments. I would LOVE to write more about Mrs. Clay – I do believe she is a whole novel in herself!

    • Maggie Griscom on August 21, 2014 at 8:55 am
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    Anne is a much better woman than I!!!. Elizabeth would find her new gowns being worn by the poor and Sir Walter’s neckcloth would probably be “very” tight around his perfect neck. Even Lady Russell, I have never liked her. While being so concerned about Anne’s well being she puts her in all of these awkward postitions. As for Mrs. Clay…well she is just too good. I think Elizabeth’s affection for her is based on ego stroking and as an old Public Health Nurse, how did Sir Walter get these eruptions. Naughty thoughts. Wonderful writing, I could “see” the entire interaction. I look forward to more from you!

      • Diana Birchall on August 30, 2014 at 12:00 am
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      Thank you, Maggie. I love Sir Walter’s neckcloth being tight around his perfect neck!

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