In my year 12 Literature class one of the assignments had an option to do a creative response to Jane Austen's EMMA, i choose to do a passage [from chapter 45] focusing on Miss Bates. Apart from my slightly poor grammar [which i always struggle with] i think i did a pretty good job!
Only taken me two years to find the work as i was clearing out one of my USBs. The words in italics are actually from the novel EMMA .
Read if you wish please, and feel free to tell me how you think i went, i only respect 100% honest remarks...
The following morning Emma wrote again to Mrs. Bates’ house to say in the most feeling language she could command that she would call for her in the carriage at any hour that Jane would name…
Miss Bates marvelled at the note, “Such a beautiful note. My dear Jane, will you not read it – here I shall read it for you – oh dear Miss Woodhouse – such a lovely, lovely young lady – oh she writes so elegantly – I’ve said, I’ve always loved her hand – dear, it’s as elegant as yours – yes, yes the message – she has spoken to Mr. Perry you know – such a fine gentleman, always looks after you so well. Even Mr. Perry agrees with Miss Woodhouse, no he encourages Miss Woodhouse to take you out for some air – in the courage – oh how delightful! – Miss Woodhouse always so kind – and Mr. Perry such a smart man – oh Jane why do you look so grave? The air will do you well – such wonderful neighbours, such old friends.”
Miss Bates takes a breath to allow Jane to answer; her words are warm to her aunt, not so kind to the note.
“Ma’am how kind of you to read the note for me, but I most contest to the very end, I am but far to ill to even consider an airing in Miss Woodhouse’s carriage, I feel –“
Miss Bates needing no more being said from Jane continued,
“Oh goodness, yes – yes very ill indeed – worse then before even. Oh this is no good! Go for an airing! Oh what was I thinking to even consider such a thing! – yes Jane you are quite right, far, far to ill – yes lie down you must – a nice rest will do you far better then an airing. I shall ensure the note is replied to.”
A note was hastily returned to Hartfield
“Miss Fairfax’s compliments and thanks, but is quite unequal of any exercise”
Emma felt that her own note had deserved something better. As it was impossible to quarrel with words, Emma sent for the carriages ‘surely Miss Fairfax cannot contest to me arriving with the carriage’ and at once Emma made her way to Mrs Bates’.
The view of Emma arriving in the carriage was seen first by Jane who had been pottering around her room – she looked on in shock and distress as the carriage stopped ‘oh what to do!’
Before Emma’s arrival could be announced Jane dashed out her room to plea with Miss Bates. Working herself up into a frantic state, quite unnatural, very unreserved.
“Ma’am, dear ma’am have you not seen! Miss Woodhouse here, with her carriage – this very moment, waiting.”
Miss Bates smile showed little did she understand Jane’s worries.
“Yes, I saw it as it was passing the widow here – I was sitting with Mrs. Bates telling her about the note – she loved to hear a well written note – ‘here mother, listen to Miss Woodhouse’s note’ I said – just as I finished telling her – as you know things need to be repeated –who shall we see, dear Miss Woodhouse herself, coming to visit us. I say ‘well mother how about that, a lovely note and a soon to be lovely visit’ what a fine day this had turned to be”
Someone came to announce Miss Woodhouse’s arrival. Jane rather quick of the mind was staring to sway on her feet, just enough to catch the attentions of the room.
She spoke before Miss Bates had a chance to begin,
“I feel faint! I must rest, the headaches have returned more forceful then before. An airing! No, never would I subject myself to such a thing in my current state. No, I feel much worse at the mere thought. Rest is what I will do,” grabbing Miss Bates’ hand, “Please ma’am will you not tell dear Miss Woodhouse that I must not got out, I am far to weak, no I must not see her, far to ill, to rest I shall go at once.”
With the shortest reply from Miss bates she quickly went to inform Miss Woodhouse of the news ‘Poor dear Jane could not bear to see anybody.’
Mrs Bates none the wiser sat contently with a very anxious Miss Fairfax until Miss Bates happily returned to inform Miss Woodhouse had been sent away.
But the ordeal was not yet finished. Miss Woodhouse was set on helping Miss Fairfax. And some arrow-root of very superior quality attached with a friendly note was sent back to Mrs Bates.
“Will she never resign!” Jane exclaimed to herself before composing her reserve to address he aunt.
“Arrow-root, Jane. Dear Miss Woodhouse sent over some arrow-root and such superior quality, arrow-root such an agreeable gift, do you not agree? – Such friendly agreeable neighbours – ‘the best neighbours’ one could wish for’ I say, don’t I always say that mother? – indeed I mentioned to Miss Woodhouse you hardly eat – quite worried she is – so she sent over the arrow-root to help you – dear Jane she is as worried as us – we all worry, you eat so little – and our good neighbours – sending such quality arrow-root, Jane will not you be tempted to entreat yourself. It will do you good.”
“Yes quite agreeable arrow-root indeed,” Jane replied coldly, “very superior. But I most refuse. I rather can not eat, can not even as little as try such a thing. No I protest! Such a kind, very charming gift from Miss Woodhouse but I must refuse, I have no appetite, none at all.”
“But my dear, really, such superior arrow-root, not even a bite – you hardly eat anything – breakfast not even half completed – arrow-root will do you some good – will be most agreeable with you.”
Jane was determine however, she refused to even the smallest of tastings and furthermore insisted, ordered it to be returned to Miss Woodhouse without delay. It was attached with a thousand thanks from Miss Bates, but “Dear Jane would not be satisfied without its being sent back, it was a thing she could not take – and moreover, she insisted on her saying that she was not at all in want of anything.”
Miss Fairfax sighed with a great relief if the ordeal being dealt with and passed; her illness however was far from over
“Dear ma’am,” Jane exclaimed speedily reaching for her coat, “I do believe I shall now take Mr Perry’s fine advice and entreat myself to a brisk stroll around the distant meadows – if there is no objection of course.”
Miss Bates more then happy to see Jane looking so alive could do no more then heartedly approve.
“Yes my dear, yes such a splendid idea you have – fine very fine advice from Mr Perry. And now how much better you look now at just the proposal! Yes it would have been wrong timing to have left with Miss Woodhouse – ill very indeed you looked – no I am happy most happy you didn’t leave with Miss Woodhouse – her heart was right – but not her timing – the weather is much more agreeable at present – will do you good my dear – pray be careful, rug up warm for the chill is still present – yes, yes of course you will – such a clever, sensible girl you are, I am always telling mother ‘dear Jane is so clever and quite the sensible type’ am I not telling you that mother? – oh sorry dear – yes, yes you must be off. Not to delay at all! The weather’s at its finest. It will do you well!”
An elegant nod was sufficient enough as a reply and Jane hastily took leave to escape the stuffy confines of her dearest house.
In the vast meadows Miss Fairfax was able to calmly think and digests her current situation – an engagement to Mrs Smallridge, the thought itself could reduce one to such a frail state. “Oh dear Miss Woodhouse” thought Jane “Oh how dear indeed” a hostility in her voice quite unheard of to her. “Mr Frank Churchill” a blush against her will rose to her cheeks at the very thought. “My heart so fall of ill by people I use to think so dear.”
The very scene of Miss Fairfax’s stroll reached the ear of Miss Woodhouse giving Emma no doubt – putting everything together – that Jane was resolved to receive no kindness from here.
as you can tell i do miss studying! counting down the days until i can afford Uni.
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