Part 27: Company is Always Cheerful

The widow of Mr. Morland's uncle was always welcome at Fullerton Parsonage, and therefore chanced to spend a few weeks in that house while her daughter's family traveled. It was, by fortuitous circumstance, around the same time as her goddaughter's birthday, which occupied the entire family to begin with. But after a great deal of cooing over the little ones, and a restful Sabbath, her attention turned to the older girls during a morning's work.

"Well, dears, we have hardly talked since I came, let me hear all about your recent doings," Aunt Harriet said, and listened with a ready ear to the same threadbare stories that had been dutifully sent by post weeks earlier.

"Oh, but what about Mr. Tilney!" Sally suddenly interrupted, attracting quelling looks from both her sister and mother.

"A clergyman," Mrs. Morland explained after a short lull in the conversation, but not a break in her stitching. "Catherine met with the family in Bath and they were kind enough to invite her for an extended stay in their house at Gloucestershire."

"Ah, that is a pretty country, I hope you enjoyed your time there," Aunt Harriet remarked with a wistful air. "Do tell what you liked best about the place."

"Oh!" Catherine sputtered in some confusion, and meandered through praising the park and gardens and sights. "There were the prettiest apple trees, and the most charming cottage which is to be made up with fresh paint—" but here giggles from her sisters made her stop, recollecting herself with flushed cheeks, before she finished, "And, yes, it was all very handsome."

"But not as much as he," Sally whispered overloud to the girl beside her, which prompted Mrs. Morland to sternly direct she pick her needle back up.

"Did Mr. Tilney escort you home?" Aunt Harriet asked next, eyeing her grandniece over spectacles with a knowing glance.

"No." Catherine's voice was low and constrained, her eyes downcast. With a shake of her head, though, she rallied and continued in a more even tone, "Yet he did come and visit later, which was most pleasant."

"Yes, we liked him a great deal," Mrs. Morland said, a warm smile of pride directed at the daughter fast leaving girlhood behind.

Title from Chapter 15 of Northanger Abbey: "Company is always cheerful."