inspiration + perspiration = invention :: T. Edison ::
A collection of one-shots based on Northanger Abbey: drabbles, flash fiction, missing scenes, and more. Title from Shakespeare's Othello, as quoted by Jane Austen in Chapter One. Now available as an eBook via Draft2Digital.
It took only one morning of poring over the household account's ledger to convince Catherine that histories were not, in fact, the most tormenting books one could read. A year ago she would have fled the chore and run out to chase amusement.
She still looked with some regret to where the other children played out the window, but then asked with resolution to hear Mrs. Morland's explanations once more. Neither was under any delusion she would ever be a great proficient at the subject.
It might be hoped, however, that she would no longer be helpless when her nuptials came.
Title from Chapter 25 of Northanger Abbey: "... and sooner than she could have supposed it possible in the beginning of her distress, her spirits became absolutely comfortable, and capable, as heretofore, of continual improvement by anything he said."
Edited 7/11/22: corrected "pouring" to "poring."