Jump to new as of July 15, 2000
Introduction: Posted on Tuesday, 2 November 1999
My name is Nathaniel Thomas Edward Darcy, but Master Darcy calls me Nathan. Sometimes he even calls me Nat, but I refuse to respond to that name as it is too much of a degradation. I usually call Master Darcy just plain Master, in fact. However, today I am feeling exceptionally kind towards him as he let me keep the bone that Cook gave to me. I pride myself in being the only dog at Pemberley who is not a common pup. I am dignified in every way and dare any dog, (who wishes to pay the consequences), to say differently. I do not take bones from garbage piles.
I am a genteldog, and am very proud of it. I am an English Mastif, and help guard the Pemberley grounds at times. Most English Mastifs are very clumsy, and I might add a little too slobbery for my distinguished taste. I make it a rule not to slobber much .... but of course, if one does a little, one has to have a good shake of the head once in a while .... (but Master never catches me doing it).
Master Darcy is, I think, the greatest human a dog could ever own. I might say right now that although I call him Master, and he tells his friends that I am his, he is really mine, and we belong together. I stand up for him whenever I smell something bad coming near him. For example: last week, a very smelly feline came strolling up to him, and of all things! started rubbing against his legs. Master Darcy, being the gentleman that he is, pretended to like it, but I could tell that he was disgusted. So naturally, I shooed the pussy cat away -- and I had fun doing it. The cat was very shocked when it discovered that a huge dog was slobbering all over it (I have discovered that slobbering over pray before beginning to chase is very effective), instead of getting the petting that it wanted. And I then began the chase. That cat could run, and climb too, but I can run faster, even can climb, and would have caught it if that stupid Great Dane hadn't gotten in my way. Yes, he just had to be walking along just at that time! The crafty kitty ran under his legs, and I, not having seen Dan in time, collided into him!
I have never been in such a mess before -- and all of the other dogs were present when it happened! Everyone saw me make a fool of myself when I bumped into Dan. I was mad, and am still mad. Then Master Darcy came up and called me bad dog. Bad Dog! I cannot stand the words! And I had helped him too! That is the reason why I slobbered all over his pillow this morning. Since he made it up this afternoon by letting me keep my bone and not taking it away -- I will probably go and try to lick the slobber off before tonight. The only thing is that last time I did that -- the Master didn't like and made me sleep outside. All of the hound dogs laughed at me -- at me! And the being in that class too. I call it disgraceful...
Written by Leah ....
I stayed behind the tall, dark pant legs and hissed as the mangy dog started drooling on me. All I desired was a little pat! And maybe a little food if he had any handy. Have pity! I've been lost for over a day! By now my human must be worrying about me. Ugh! I felt so wretched! I am dirty, hungry, tired, and now I am being chased by a big dumb animal that drooled.
I had taken off running and was dodging in and out of people, running the tops of benches, and all of the acrobatic acts felines have the ability to do.
Blast! This mutt isn't getting the message! I paused and hissed at him again, then took my chance and dodged between the legs of a nearby Great Dane. The fool ran smack into him! Ha! Dogs! Pathetic brutes! I jumped up a few nearby steps, started cleaning the dirt off my beautiful long coat and laughed while the dog's human that I had been sidling up to scol...scolddd....ss...s......
That smell! I know that smell! Mr. Holland! Mr. Holland's bakery! Home!
Home was just down the lane! I hadn't realized the canine had chased me so far. I dashed over to Mr. Holland and rubbed up against his legs. Thank you, oh thank you! Thank you! Mr. Holland knew who I was and tried to grab hold of me, but I slipped out of his grasp and ran towards home. Home! Oh, the thought sounded so glorious!
I let loose every ounce of energy I had left and sprinted home. I was sadly winded as I trotted up the stone steps and weakly meowed.
"Lizzy! Lizzy! Lizzy, I'm home! I'm home, Lizzy! Lizzy, open the door! I'm hungry! Lizzy!"
The door flew open, and before I knew it, I was in my human's arms again.
"Oh, Tabitha! Tabitha, where were you? Don't ever do that again! Oh, are you all right? How did you get home?" She nuzzled my face with hers as she closed the door.
"Oh, Lizzy! I missed you so much! Oh, I knew you couldn't get along without me! You poor thing, so destitute and lost without me! No one to talk to or sit in the garden with!"
She rushed me into her bedroom, placed me on her pillow and wrapped me in a shawl. After she made sure I was warm she kissed my head what seemed a thousand times.
"All right, that's enough....Really....You can stop now....ELIZABETH BENNET!!"
Elizabeth jumped up and went into the kitchen.
"Pray tell where you are headed, miss? Aren't you happier than that? Aren't you going to pet me? Can I receive some assistance around here? Helloooo! Starving cat! Hel--Food! Aw, I knew you had something up your sleeve, Lizzy! My Lizzy Bennet wouldn't fail me! Oooo! The special food!!"
My human sat down next to me, and put the food on the bed while she pulled me into her lap.
"H-H-Hey! I thought you were going to let me eat! I'm dying of starvation!"
Oh! Oh, good, I sighed as Lizzy put the food on her other knee, and I dug in. Perhaps I didn't use my most lady-like manners, but when you haven't eaten for over twenty-four hours, let me see you calmly eat your caviar! Oh, this is bliss! My human, good food, and a back rub.
"Ahhhhhh--Hey! Stop that! Hey! That tickles!" I giggled a little bit and almost choked on my mouthful of food. "Hey! S-S-S-Stop! Ooo-hooo-hoooo!" I batted my tail in her face to give her the hint to take her leave, and continued eating.
"Ah, that's better!" My human said. "That's the impertinent Tabitha I know!" She shoved me off her lap, put the food on the bed, and stood up.
"Hey! Impertinent?! Who, pray, is impertinent?!" I demanded to know.
My human just laughed, as she trotted downstairs to tell her the servants that they could call off the search for me.
Ah, yes! I knew they were desperate without me! Out of their minds with--
Hill entered the room, the Bennet' housekeeper.
"What was that, Tabby? You are through with your meal? You wish for a B-A-T-H?"
B-a-t-h......B-a-t-h.....Ba...Ba-th.....Bath.....
"BATH?! NO!!!!!!"
Oh, too late!
Hill had already swooped me up into her arms, and we were headed towards the kitchen. Though I wriggled and squirmed my hardest, Hill has been living with me for these past five years and she knows how to handle my fits.
"NO! N-O! I don't want a bath! No bath! Water bad! Felines and water do not mix!"
"Oh, Tabby, stop it. You're getting a bath whether you like it or not!"
That name again! Ugh! "My name is Tabitha-a-a-a-a-a-a!" My voice wavered as Hill wrapped me in her apron to keep me from clawing her.
Blast it all! What a welcoming home! Humans! Bah!
Chapter One ~ Kara and Zeb Posted on Tuesday, 2 November 1999
We arrived at Netherfield two days ago. I feel very proud that I discovered it's name was 'Netherfield', because most of the dogs would have just been calling it 'Bingley's Territory' -- had it not been for me. I am very proud of me ability to discover interesting things.
I have also recently discovered that 'Sisters' are coming to Netherfield soon. I presume that 'Sisters' is a relative of Bingley's, since he was the one who told Master about it. I wish that it was Georgiana who was coming, and not this 'Sisters'. Georgiana is Master's sister. Strange indeed that this person is named 'Sisters' -- and the word sister is so much like his or her name. We will see when it comes. But I am the only dog who calls Georgiana by her Christian name. Most other dogs call her Master's Sister. I find that name tiresome -- and like Georgiana. A very fresh and pretty name. Actually, the other dog whom I share the honor of calling Georgiana by her Christian name is Sam ...
Written by Zeb ...
The dogs of the Darcy surname have always been top rank. I myself am a German Shepherd, a unique class of dogs.
My family not only has the Darcy surname, but also we have royal blood in us. My descendants where bread in the kings royal kennels, and the first shepherds of the Darcy surname where a gift from the king himself to the Darcy family. We are a very old and ancient race, my family is, not to mention smarter and more handsome, than most other shepherds of other surnames.
I take it a great compliment that I am one of the two only dogs who get to stay in the masters room.
The only other excepted is Nathan, a English mastiff, who's family also carries the same surname as mine, but of course we are not the same class.
My full and official name is: Aradiuss Doduss Classus Germanus Sheperduss of the surname of Darcy called Sir Edward Samuel Darcy the third; family breaduss in the Kings Royaluss Kennelus.
I really don't know what half of that means, except that my name is Sir Aradius Edward Samuel Darcy the third. My father's name was Sir Araidius Edward Phillip Darcy the second. (I have no idea what Araidius stands for, or why it's in my name.)
Since my name is so big most people just call me Araidius, but Master is the only one who is allowed to call me Sam (except the other dogs- they call me Sam too).
All of the members of my family have had a master, and only one master. (One of the several reasons why they only have one master in a life time might be because that their Masters always seem to out live their dogs.)
My father's master was my master's father. My father, (bless his name), lived to a very old age: sixteen. He had only one master, even from birth, and his late master is my master's father, who's name is Fitzwilliam Darcy.
Nathan is of the same rank as me, and we both carry the same job, protecting Master and his possessions from anything and anyone.
We make a wonderful team, brains and brawn ( it is common knowledge that shepherds are smarter than mastiffs, but mastiffs are stronger. But this does not destroy my high opinion of Nathan, he is my favorite of all the dogs in the house.), and eliminate anything that strays into the masters room. And not only that, also when on duty we patrol the house, and then the grounds. We are very well trained guard dogs, even better than the prune faced bulldog (a very disgusting creature, of a very low rank. He even steals bones from the kitchen, and Nathan and I have to always keep an eye on him).
I believe the master is very fond of me, and even gives me his food scraps. I am extremely fond of a bone with some beef or roast pork still left on it, drenched with gravy. But I better get of this subject before I start drooling......
Written by Kara ...
Sisters have arrived. I have also discovered that 'Sisters' is three people. Hurst, or Smelly, Hurst's mate, and Caroline. I think ill of anyone who keeps company with a nasty cat. I am not fond of cats in general, as I've mentioned before, but nasty cats are unbearable. It's Caroline's. This cat we have christened 'Priss', but I believe Caroline calls her Puss. There is not much difference. The only draw back about this however, is that I cannot molest the pitiful Priss unless she stalks into Master's room without Caroline. Caroline never goes into Master's room, and Priss never does as she knows the penalty.
Today, Master and his friends all are going to some party this evening. I decided to follow them, as I usually do when something important is going on. I enjoy watching the humans hopping around together -- like puppies. The most interesting thing to watch, however, are the Mice Balls.
Mice Balls are always held outside, and when ever a human ball is going on. For some reason, they always know, and have their dance on the same night. Some dogs, I'm told enjoy eating mice. I am their friend. Sam and I, (Sam is my partner and loyal friend), made it a rule to be a friend to anything that is a cats enemy. However, even if cats liked mice, I would have nothing against them. They are so modern! They have excellent tailors, and always dress themselves in the latest fashions. I for one have no passion for clothes, but mice have always liked human wear, and are good at copying fashions and styles, and even making better clothes than the humans wear sometimes.
Ah, they are preparing to leave! I must go find Sam and we will follow the four-wheeled horse machine together -- and perhaps spook the horses in the contraption Caroline's in. Cats! She's gotten into the same one as Master. So much for my brilliant plan! Now where is the rascally Sam?
Chapter Two Posted on Sunday, 21 November 1999
"If you do not release me, I will claw your arm and give you another attack of your silly nerves!" I wiggled away from Mrs. Bennet. "Insufferable woman!" I mumbled.
I was happy to be home, yes, but I was not happy with all of the unnecessary attention I was getting from Mrs. Bennet and her three youngest daughters!
Oh, Mr. Bennet was all right. We would sit in his library, and occasionally he would read a humorous passage aloud from the novel he was reading. All in all, Mr. Bennet would let me sit on his lap and sleep while he petted me. Though I cannot say much as to his skills at petting. The man simply rubs my head, and though it is a nice feeling, I do get tired of having the weight of such a large hand resting on my crown.
Jane is always a joy to be around. She never pulls my tail, and is always very considerate towards me. If I am sitting in a chair she wishes to occupy, she simply chooses another chair instead of shooing me away; all is as it should be with Jane. But sweet Jane has one fault: she does not know how to pet a feline either. She concentrates on one area, like Mr. Bennet does, except at the opposite end.
As for Elizabeth, I love her dearly. She seems to know my moods: when I want to be petted or left alone. She knows how I like to be petted, and she strokes the whole of my back so that a patch of my lovely fur doesn't wear away.
Mary is a bothersome girl. She thinks too highly of her supposed education. She has been known to lock me into her room with her for hours on end and read to me from Fordyce's Sermons. I know not what her purpose in doing this is. Once she murmured something about this being good practice for the children she would have some day! If she finds someone who will take her, she will be off on the right path. Heaven pity the poor children! To have such a mother! And father as the man who would wed Mary Bennet!
As for Lydia and Kitty, they are wretched girls. Though no longer children they still insist on pulling my lovely tail and chasing me round Longbourn. They are tiresome children and should be kept in cages.
Mrs. Bennet would possibly be worse if she were more mobile. Every other day she has an attack of 'nerves' which keeps her more or less confined to a chair. If it were not for this, she would follow me everywhere. As it is, Kitty and Lydia try to catch me twice as often because half of the time they are doing it for Mrs. Bennet! Mrs. Bennet does not usually like me very much, for I have no qualms about giving her another attack of nerves by scratching her if it means that I am able to escape her clutches.
Since I am just lately returned home, after my B-A-T-H from the most gracious Hill, who usually leaves me to myself unless instructed otherwise, Mrs. Bennet scooped me up in her lap and started cooing over me.
In a normal circumstance I would have scratched her hand and scampered away to safety. But this night I was much too tired from my travels in Meryton to do much complaining, and so I let her talk 'kitty language' to me whilst I feebly cried for Lizzy.
Two Days Later . . . .
Pat . . . pat . . . . . pat . . . pat . . . . . . pat . . . I rounded the corner to Elizabeth's bedroom.
"Lizzy, I do not see why you do not try to look more presentable," I heard Mrs. Bennet's silly voice, "The new tenants of Netherfield Park will be at the assembly and I want to make a good impression! Have Hill redo your hair, I do not like the looks of it." I was standing in the doorway watching the hideous woman and was lost under her skirts as she swished out the door.
I hissed in her trail and waved a claw ferociously.
"Oh, Tabitha. You really must not do that to Mama."
"What, pray, are you talking of? Did thou ears deceive thee? She called you common!"
"She means no harm."
"Elizabeth, when will you learn your own merits?"
"What was that, Tabby?" Elizabeth scooped me up and laid on her bed with me. "She is an unbearable woman? I am inclined to agree with you, love, though she is my mother. It is a shame, is it not, when one has so little respect for their mother? I do have a great deal of love for her, but how do I respect someone of such a silly constitution? The one flaw I see in my father and the one merit that I see in my mother is that they married each other."
"Miss Lizzy? Mrs. Be-"
"I know she did, Hill. But you know that I take delight in vexing my mother. Go attend to Jane; I am finished with my toilet."
As the family trooped out of the door and into the two carriages that awaited, Jane, Mr. Bennet, and Lizzy in one, Mrs. Bennet, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia in the other, I stole out into the night through the servants quarters and scampered across the meadow to Lucas Lodge.
I will admit it. I am not ashamed. I too, wanted to see this Mr. Bingley that had been the talk of Meryton for the last two weeks.
It took longer for me to arrive than the Bennets. As I came up the drive I chanced to see Jane through the window; a servant was taking their wraps.
I heard music coming from the back of the house, and so I made my way round the west side. As I rounded the corner near which I believed to be the assembly I was accosted by a horrid sight.
A company of dogs, numbering twelve, were spread out over the lawn. One saw me and with a short bark informed his comrades of my presence. They did not chase me, but they did try to corner me. One of them I recognized as the brute I outwitted the day I was lost. I fled between the dog's legs next to him as he was the tallest, and darted up the nearest tree. This was a wise decision on my part, for as I settled on a branch to patiently wait for the canines to leave, I realized I had the perfect view into the hall.
A tall man was walking towards the window. He looked imperious and unhappy to be there.
How could a man be unhappy whilst in the same room as Elizabeth? This man could be exceedingly handsome if he'd only look a bit less solemn.
"Darcy!" The windows were thin and I could hear the voices within distinctly. "Come, I hate to see you standing about in this stupid manner. I must have you dance."
I lost the reply as the man's back was to the window and a dog started howling when he heard his masters name mentioned. It was the dog that had accosted me those two days ago! Was that the stranger I rubbed up against? The tall, dark haired, handsome stranger?
My attention was once again drawn to the window as I heard the curly blonde haired man say the name 'Elizabeth.'
The response was muffled and all I could make out was, "She . . . not handsome enough . . . tempt me-- . . . . . . . Bingley . . . . . . . smiles . . . ."
Was this blonde man the Mr. Bingley? As Mr. Bingley furrowed his brow for a moment and moved away from his friend, he revealed that Lizzy had been sitting nearby during the entirety of their discussion and had over heard their words.
She had the look about as earlier when her mother had told her to change her hair. Hiding hurt with mirth. Elizabeth was extremely good at this. It was her way of dealing with life's blows. Perhaps it worked for her, but I certainly did not comprehend it.
The tall man chanced a look at her as he casually turned to look out the window. He is handsome, I must admit, but after what this Darcy fellow said about my Elizabeth, he will never be in my good graces. Who did he think he was? The richest man in Meryton? Bah! I'll wager Mr. Bingley has a thousand more pounds a year than that . . . that hooligan!
Mr. Darcy slyly reached into his pocket and withdrew a small gold object. He flipped it open. It was a sort of miniature, but two of them together in one casing. Mr. Darcy ran his thumb over the portraits and looked at them for a few moments. He held it loosely in his hand, and suddenly glanced up into the tree. I tried to hide, but the leaves had already fallen from the trees leaving barren twigs. He saw me and looked me straight in the eye. I glared back with hatred for the man who had slighted my poor Lizzy so. After a moment or so of studying each other he went back to his miniatures, and I crept forward ever so slightly to steal a better look.
SNAP!
The next thing I knew I had fallen into the den of twelve ferocious mutts. I was circled by the brutes. There was only one thing left to do. Run! I jumped onto the back of one of the smaller ones, sank my claws in momentarily, then dashed off. The dogs gave chase and I rounded the corner to the front of the house. The hounds were not far behind. I had almost made it into the meadow when a loud whistle broke the air of the clear crisp night.
"Nathaniel Thomas Edward!!" A man's voice bellowed. The lead dog that was centimeters from biting off my tail came to an abrupt halt, and all the other dogs ran into him. This gave me time to hide in the bushes and pray that they would lose my scent. I could not believe my eyes when all twelve dogs did an about face and galloped back to Lucas Lodge. I silently crept out of my hiding place to see who this guardian angel was.
My savior was none other than the high and mighty Mr. Darcy.
"You big, odious, good-for-nothing, animals!" I yelled out into the night towards Lucas Lodge.
The response was twelve angry growls traveling to me through the air. I yelped involuntarily and a shiver went up my spine as I plunged into the tall meadow grass and headed for home. I would that the Bennets never allow the dogs into Longbourn!
Posted on Friday, 14 July 2000
Written by Leah
"Well, Lizzy? How did it go? Tell me! I dared not stay long enough to find out for myself! Simpleton animals! I did hear what that terrible Mr. Darcy said, though! Of all the nerve! If I am ever in that man's presence, I swear, I shall claw him as if there were no tomorrow!"
"Oh, Tabitha!" Lizzy sighed and flopped onto her back on her bed, pulling me onto her stomach. "I met the most horrid man tonight! The nerve of the rich!" she gave a laugh that jolted me from my resting place. "That terrible Mr. Darcy had the nerve to insult me quite loudly, when I was not ten feet away! I of course cast off his slight in front of Mamma and especially Papa, but . . . I am afraid dear Jane saw quite through me.
"I am determined not to let it bother me, though. I had quite a lovely time, otherwise, though there was the strenuous lack of partners for dancing. Practically no men to be had! And that rogue Mr. Darcy refused to dance. Does he think that because he is rich he may cast others' feelings aside? I detest the ignorant and proud, and I am quite sure that Mr. Darcy is both!
"Therefore, Tabitha, I am quite determined not to like him. I shall not give him a second thought. Even if he is excessively handsome. Even if he's dauntingly tall . . . has dark unruly hair that could be so lovely if he'd let it be ruffled . . . and has eyes that look straight into a person, but look as if they could be . . . But, no. What do I care of the high and mighty Mr. Darcy's looks? They are nothing to me! No. No, indeed," she declared as she removed me and began readying for bed.
"Hmphf! Absolutely not!" and "No!" were muttered occasionally aloud for the next ten minutes before Elizabeth climbed into bed and snuffed her candle. "Why should I care to be of his acquaintance, anyway? No one at the assembly cared for him! I do not see why dear Mr. Bingley keeps his company at all! Well, I shall not care that his words stung my ego a bit. I shall likely never see him again."
She has never cared this much for a man's opinion before, excluding her father. She isn't . . . is she? Oh, no. Oh, Lizzy, you poor, silly girl. I rolled into a ball at the foot of her bed. Can you not see that you are already in love with him?
"Let me see! Let me see, Jane!"
Will Mrs. Bennet never learn to contain herself? I jumped from Mr. Bennet's lap to investigate what happenings were occurring in the morning room.
"Curiosity killed the cat, you know." It took me a moment to realize Mr. Bennet was talking to me.
How did he know?? I padded softly and swiftly into the din and sat beneath Elizabeth's chair just waiting for something to happen.
Not a moment later, Mr. Bennet entered the room, as well.
Curiosity killed the cat, indeed! I looked triumphantly Mr. Bennet's direction, and he met my gaze. Did I spy a mark of sheepishness in his countenance? I . . . think . . . so! I held my chin a little higher in the air and studied Mrs. Bennet.
A letter from the Bingley sisters, hmm? I have not heard of them. Ohhhh, for Jane . . . Take the horse in this weather? Has she gone mad? . . . . No, she's just plain full of nonsense, that's what! Risking Jane's health for an unlikely marriage proposal! Ludicrous.
Jane has gone, on old Nellie, no less, and Mrs. Bennet is gloating over her 'well done planning' because it has started to pour, and Jane has not been gone five minutes. The poor girl will be positively soaked!
"But Mamma, please let me go after her with the carriage. Jane will be drenched!"
"Oh, Lizzy, a little water never hurt anyone! Don't fuss so, it wears on my nerves."
"Mamma, it is beginning to storm. Dear Jane may be injured! She may become sick!"
"What nonsense. Go see what your father is up to, Lizzy."
Elizabeth huffed out of the room and I followed, equally upset. We entered Mr. Bennet's library and I jumped up onto the ottoman with Lizzy.
"Papa, I cannot believe you did not prevent Jane from going out in this weather." Elizabeth's tone was despairing, but quiet. She was disappointed in him.
"I am sorry, Lizzy. You know your mother. In any case, I would not have won. She would have carried on such a fuss that it would have been heard all the way to Lucas Lodge."
Elizabeth sighed and searched the shelves for a book. When she returned she was holding Robert Louis Stevenson's The Black Arrow, one of the newer novels on Mr. Bennet's shelf. When she returned, I climbed eagerly into Elizabeth's lap to read with her. She began stroking my head as she opened the cover and turned to the first page. I could feel myself growing weary quickly, so I shook her off, and let her know that I did not wish to be petted. I wanted to read! Unfortunately, even though Lizzy is a comparatively fast reader by human standards, she is twice as slow as any cat, so after about ten pages, I felt my eyelids drooping once more.
Must stay awake . . . I forced my eyelids open. Have to keep reading! They popped open once more. Oh, maybe I'll just rest them for a moment, until Lizzy is done with this page . . . . . . . . . .
Some time later . . .
"Ahh!!!!!! What's going on???"
"I apologize, Tabitha, I must get up, now. Mamma is calling!" She swiftly left the room, leaving the door open for me.
"Bother! I fell asleep!" I sighed. "Well, I suppose I shall just have t--"
"Oh, no!" I heard Elizabeth gasp from somewhere down the corridor.
I ran to Lizzy's aid in the hallway, where she was hurriedly tying on her bonnet.
"Elizabeth Bennet, you are not going out in this weather! You might catch cold!"
"Yes, just like Jane, hmm?"
"Lizzy, do wait until morning, dearest. Please."
Elizabeth looked at her father and doffed her bonnet. "I'm going to gather some of Jane's things together to take to her in the morning."
"I'll help!" I volunteered. I followed Elizabeth to Jane's room and watched her pack a few of Jane's things.
Elizabeth, on the other hand, was fairly boiling.
"I cannot believe her!" she muttered through clenched teeth. "Jane with a fever, and she happy of it! Happy that her daughter caught a cold to catch a man!"
"Elizabeth, do calm down," I admonished. "Jane will be fine."
Elizabeth sighed and sat on the bed, still holding a nightgown. "Jane will be all right. It just irritates me that Mamma would do something like this."
I climbed into Lizzy's lap and snuggled my head under her hand so she would pet me. She poked my nose, instead, and shooed me away as she finished packing a bag for Jane much more calmly.
"Elizabeth, why have you not left yet? Jones set off with the bag five minutes ago!"
"I will walk, Mamma."
"Walk? Don't be ridiculous, child. It's nearly three miles to Netherfield!"
"I shall cut through the pastures. It will not take long. I dare say I shall arrive home by sundown."
I followed Elizabeth fifteen minutes later as she set off in the direction of Netherfield, not at all using the roads.
"Tabitha, go home," she ordered.
"Pardon? I do believe you are not my mistress. I do not have to, if I do not want to." I kept pace behind her.
Elizabeth sighed, turned around and snatched me up. Being small often has its disadvantages. She turned me round and set me down facing Longbourn. Ha! As if that would work! I turned round and bounded after her to catch up. She sighed again, but made no move to send me home.
As we finally reached Netherfield an hour later, we were both covered in mud. Eeeewwww!!!! I hate being dirty! I'm tired and I'm dirty. What could be worse?
Elizabeth tried in vain to scrape her boot as she rang the bell.
"It's time for you to go home, now, Tabitha. I doubt they will let you in, anyway!"
Hmphf! We'll just see about that! As Elizabeth entered Netherfield, I ran round to the back door. I checked myself over. Do I look pitiful enough? I messed up my hair a bit more and decided that I did, so I began meowing and pawing the door very weakly.
After a few moments a middle aged servant opened the door. "Ohh!" she cried. "You poor little darling! Now who do you belong to? Hmm . . . You must be hungry and tired; you look like you've come a long way!"
"Oh, I am! I have! Three whole miles!"
"I dare say you must have come well over a mile, to look a dirty as this."
"Well over a mile, I assure you."
I tried to look even more pitiful as I lay down and put my head on my paws. She woman ate up every little plea. Ha! She scooped me into her apron and took me over to a corner by the fire where I could dry off and eat the bits of leftover fish she gave me.
Ugh! Better than nothing, I suppose. Still . . . This is absolutely disgusting. Day old fish! Ugh!
"Are you done, Tabby?" she asked as I began getting clean.
I started. Tabby?? How does she kno-- Ohhh. She's calling me a tabby cat! Silly woman.
"What?" I cried as I was suddenly picked up. "What now?"
"Time to give you a bath!" the woman declared.
"No! No! Noooo!!!!! I can do it myself! I can doooo it myseeeeelfff!" I wriggled and squirmed, but she had a good hold on me. I sighed. Being small definitely has its disadvantages. Now, if I were big, like my cousin, the lion, no one would ever try to give me a bath! No one would dare! Even if I were just as big as my other cousin, the cheetah, I'd be fine. But, no! I'm cursed by being a tabby cat that's so beautiful, sweet, and all around adorable, that everyone thinks they may just pick me up whenever they wish!
The woman deposited me in a washing tub and began scrubbing away with lye. She was very quick and efficient, and I could only guess that she had been the human of a few cats before.
I must admit that I felt much better after the bath. The mud and leaves that had been caking my hair had been removed, and I felt like I could breath again. Still, I could have done it myself! The woman set me next to the fire again, and in no time I was dry.
Now! Time to find Elizabeth! When the woman's back was turned, I dodged out the door and went in search of my human. It took me a few minutes to discover the way out of the servants quarters, but I stealthily followed a man, and as he passed by a grand looking staircase, I scampered up it.
As I neared the top I heard someone humming, and hid behind a chair just in time as a woman swished by. I hadn't seen this woman before. She most definitely wasn't a servant, but her frock was certainly interesting. Orange with green ribbons. What an eccentric woman! I don't think I like her. She carries her nose a little too high, and her posture is just a little too practiced. She's a snob!
Once the coast was clear, I went in the direction she had come from. Sure enough, I heard familiar female voices coming from the end of the hallway. I reached the door, but it was shut tight! I suppose I shall have to let them know I am here.
I began pawing the door, and presently, Elizabeth opened it, looking very angry. She scooped me up, shut the door, and planted me in a seat.
"Now, how on earth did you get here? How did you get clean? How did you know I was up here?"
"Elizabeth," Jane broke in, "Tabby's just a cat. It's a miracle she found you, and we should be happy to have her company. Come here, Tabby!" Jane opened her arms to me, and I jumped up onto the very high bed. It was nice to have an ally, even if she was calling me 'Tabby'. I shuddered at the name and cuddled into Jane's arms. See? I looked archly at Elizabeth. Jane loves me! Everyone loves me. I wiggled around and got comfortable. How can they help themselves?
Written by Kara
I walked proudly in the halls with little Anne following loyally behind me. All of the dogs were praising us! How wonderful a kitten that is going to behave like a dog! The experiment was working splendidly. Of course, Anne's instincts told her to act differently then us in some ways, but she was a very nice creature and therefore everyone loved her - including Master.
Yes, Master had forgiven me for running off. I was back at his side every day and sleeping in his room once more. Sam and I had our midnight chats and during the day guarded the grounds as usual and taught Anne. Things were restored back to their usual order and I was very happy and content - that is until Jane came.
It was pouring rain outside. Anne was curled up beside me and purring*, Sam was chewing on his beloved bone and I was wishing that I was outside or dinning with the officers (that's where Master, Bingley and Smelly had gone to). Then Jane came inside. Everything was at once exciting. I smelled her coming and so got up to investigate. When I discovered that it was the female Bingley was so fond of I wagged my tail and didn't bark too loudly. But Jane didn't seem to want to talk or pet me. She was sneezing very loudly and coughing. I thought she looked very uncomfortable. Then Caroline came over and hustled her to the dinning room after throwing a shawl over her shoulders.
Poor Jane! At first when she came, Sam and I pondered for hours on what to call her. Should we call her Miss, Jane or Bennet? A very troublesome discussion, but in the end we decided to call her Jane since it sounded much more becoming then 'Miss' or 'Bennet'. After about an hour and a half Caroline and Louisa discovered that Jane was really quite ill and sent her to bed.
Jane was doing very badly. She was coughing and sneezing without stopping. It was very late at night and the men had returned. Everyone was asleep and did not notice Jane's suffering. But I did and resolved to visit her. I left Master's bedchamber quietly and walked up to her room, with Anne trailing behind me. I pawed on the door and Jane stumbled over and opened it after I whined. She looked as if she would fall over and so hurried back into bed after shutting the door firmly behind her.
"Ahem. Good evening, Madam Jane." No one could say that I did not know how to speak to women properly. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Nathaniel Edward Thomas Darcy, but Master calls me Nathan, and you may do the same. Is there anything I can do to help you?"
"Come here, Nathan." She croaked, her voice quite gone. I obeyed at once and jumped onto the enormous bed beside her. I wasn't really supposed to get onto and beds besides Masters but Jane did not know that.
"I hope you feel better soon, Jane." I said, "Oh yes! Right there! That feels very good!" I liked Jane. She smelled pleasant, knew how to scratch dog's ears and had a sweet voice.
After a few moments Jane noticed Anne, who was still trying to get up on the bed and not making much success.
"Here, let me help you." Jane whispered and scooped the kitten up in her arms. I watched proudly as Jane rubbed Anne's head and she started purring.
"She is my experiment daughter." I said, shinning with pride as Anne licked her hand.
"What a beautiful little kitten!" she exclaimed. We stayed with her the rest of the night and comforted her greatly whenever she coughed. By morning, Jane was very fond of us and sorry when we had to leave for breakfast.
We ate and I spent a little time with Master that morning. Another lady arrived shortly after we finished eating - Lizzy. Here was another person to debate over. At first we called her Elizabeth until we discovered that Jane called her Lizzy and so decided to just call her that. I stayed with everyone through breakfast while Lizzy went up to see Jane. I was rather offended. I could handle and comfort Jane just fine, why did Lizzy need to come and take care of her?
"Imagine that, Nathan. Walking all of the way here to see her sister and through all that mud!" Master said quietly so me as we sat together for a few moments after breakfast. He sighed. "He eyes were so bright this morning ... beautiful..." he murmured.
"What? Beautiful?" I said, wanting him to continue. When had Master ever thought a woman was beautiful before? But Master did not have time to continue. I heard Jane coughing upstairs and so immediately set off for her room.
I entered quietly. Jane smiled when she saw me and stopped coughing.
"Nathan! Come here, boy!" she said and reached out one hand. I was about to come over to her when I saw THAT cat sitting on her lap! The same cat that had humiliated me over once. I growled. How dare she even set foot in Jane's room? The cat hissed. Things were not going very well.
Written by Zeb
Nathan went to visit Jane, but I had my own plans...
I was going to take Anne to the great outdoors. I was her age when my father introduced me to the outside world, and thought that it was high time that she knew it too.
She followed me some of the ways, but I carried her the rest, for it was a ways to where we where going- the pond.
"This Anne, is nothing compared to the splendor of Pemberley." I said.
"Is Pemberley such a wonderful place?" Anne asked.
She stuttered, and her voice came slow and jerky. She only knew Cat-talk, which was a lot like Dog-speech but it had some differences. For instance, cats cannot pronounce 'Perfect' correctly. It always sounds like 'Purrrfect'. Note that they often roll their R's. Their vocabulary is also not as extensive as ours is. And, they have only five words that all mean the same thing: 'I'm hungry', while we have seven. Not to mention they have a very uncivil and feline accent.
But Nathan and I where going to teach her how to say things properly. Already she was improving.
When we reached the pond I jumped right in, with a good satisfying splash.
"Come on in Anne, the water is excellent. It isn't cold at all."
But she stared at the water with distaste. "I can't believe that you swim. It isn't proper."
"Are you crazy, Anne? Water is the joy of a hound. Who ever gave you that idea? Come on in."
After much persuasion she reluctantly put one paw in, and then the other, but wouldn't go any further. I went ashore then gave her a good push. Anne splashed in, followed by me.
"See Anne, water is nice, especially on a hot day."
"I think I like it." But suddenly she swallowed a mouthful of water and choked and coughed.
"Listen Anne, you're doing the Cat-float. You'll never swim that way. Let me teach you how to do the honorable Dog-stroke..."
It was a long afternoon. Anne ended up being a very good swimmer (For a beginner). She begged to go swimming the next afternoon.
"Of course we can. And if you swim, then you build your muscles up. You will be ably to outrun any cat soon. And you have the best instructor you can get. Why, I am a champion swimmer and racer. I won the championship three times in a row. Nathan was my partner, of course."
It was a very enjoyable day. Even Caroline and Priss didn't get on my nerves.