The Sleepy Bookshelf: Just Jane

a new show, the sleepy bookshelf, just Jane. Beginning with Mansfield Park. We're sharing

“the first episode right here, but to continue the story, just tap the link in the show notes.”

The first three episodes are already waiting for you. Good evening, and welcome to the

sleepy bookshelf, just Jane. Where we put down our worries from the day and pick up a good episode, Jane Austenberg. And your host, Elizabeth. I'm so pleased you joined us tonight for this first season of our new show. Now if you've been around for a while, you might know that we started the sleepy bookshelf in 2021. And since then we've been keen to find some new ways to help you get a

good night's sleep. Now we know that you enjoy Jane Austen because you often return to her

classics like Pride and Prejudice and Emma. So we decided to create this dedicated space for all things, Jane. And here we are. Now the format of the show will remain very similar. We'll start with a brief introduction, a deep breath to calm our minds, and a recap of the last

“episode, so you don't need to worry about drifting off and missing anything important.”

Then we'll get into the story just as before. So let's take that moment now tonight. After the deepest breath you've had all day in through your nose and out through your mouth. Wonderful. Now tonight we're going to be beginning Mansfield Park. It's a story about a young girl named Fanny Price who leaves her modest home to go to stay with her wealthy relatives in the grand halls of Mansfield Park.

“It's full of Jane Austen's characteristic wit as she pokes fun at the upper classes of”

Regency England. Scott's some interesting and complicated romances and it's going to be perfect for us. Can't wait to begin. So why don't you sit back and relax and soon enough you'll be

first asleep while I turn to the first pages of Mansfield Park.

Chapter 1 About 30 years ago Miss Mariah Ward of Huntington with only 7,000 pounds had the good luck to captivate Sir Thomas Bertrim of Mansfield Park in the county of Northampton and to be there by raised to the row of a baronette slady with all the comforts and consequences of a handsome house and large income. All Huntington exclaimed on the greatness of the match and her uncle, the lawyer himself, allowed her to be at least £3,000 short of any equitable claim to it.

She had two sisters to be benefited by her elevation and such of their acquaintances thought Miss Ward and Miss Francis quite as handsome as Miss Mariah did not scrupal to predict their marrying with almost equal advantage but there certainly are not so many man of large fortune in the world as there are pretty women to deserve them. Miss Ward at the end of half a dozen

with scarcely any private fortune and Miss Francis fared yet worse. Miss Ward's match indeed

“when it came to the point was not contemptible, Sir Thomas being happily able to give his friend”

an income in the living of Mansfield and Mr. Miss is Norris began their career of conjugal felicity with very little laughs than a thousand a year. But Miss Francis married in the common phrase to disobeyed her family and by fixing on a left tenent of marines, without education, fortune or connections did it very thoroughly. She could hardly have made a more unto ward choice

Sir Thomas Bertram had interest which from principal as well as pride, from general

wish of doing right and a desire of seeing all that were connected with him in situations of

“respectability, he would have been glad to exert for the advantage of Lady Bertram's sister.”

But her husband's profession was such as no interest could reach and before he had time to devise any other method of assisting them, an absolute breach between the sisters had taken place. It was the natural result of the conduct of each party, and such as a very improved and

marriage almost always produces. To save herself from useless reman strands, Mrs. Price never wrote

to her family on the subject till apturally married. Lady Bertram, who was a woman of very tranquil feelings and a temper remarkably easy and indolent, would have contented herself with merely giving up her sister and thinking no more of the matter. But Mrs. Norris had a spirit of activity which could not be satisfied till she had written a long and angry letter to Fanny to point out the folly of her conduct and threaten her with all its possible ill consequences.

Mrs. Price in her turn was injured and angry and an answer which comprehended each sister in its bitterness and bestowed such very disrespectful reflections on the pride of Sir Thomas as Mrs. Norris could not possibly keep to herself, but an end to all intercourse between them for a considerable period. Their homes were so distant and the circles in which they moved so distinct as almost to preclude the means of ever hearing of each other's existence during the 11 following years,

or at least to make it very wonderful to Sir Thomas that Mrs. Norris should ever have it in her power to tell them as she now and then did in an angry voice that Fanny had got another child. By the end of 11 years, however, Mrs. Price could no longer afford to cherish pride or resentment, or to lose one connection that might possibly assist her. A large and still increasing family, a husband, disabled, proactive service, but not the less equal to company and good liquor,

and a very small income to supply their wants, made her eager to regain the friends she had so carelessly sacrificed. And she addressed Lady Bertrim in a letter which spoke so much contrition and despondence such a superfluity of children and such a want of almost everything else as could not but dispose them all to a reconciliation. She was preparing for her nine lying in and after the wailing of the circumstance and imploring their countenance as sponsors to the expected

“child. She could not conceal how important she felt they might be to the future maintenance of the”

eight already in being. Her eldest was a boy of ten, a fine spirited fellow who longed to be

to set Thomas in the concerns of his West Indian property? No situation would be beneath him,

“or what did Sir Thomas think of Woolwich, or how could a boy be sent out to the East?”

The letter was not unproductive. It re-established peace and kindness, so Thomas sent a friendly advice and professions. Lady Bertrim dispatched money and baby linen, and Mrs Norris wrote the letters. Such way it's immediate effects, and within a 12 month or more important advantage to Mrs Price resulted from it. Mrs Norris was often observing to the others that she could not get her poor sister

and her family out of her head. And that as much as they had all done for her, she seemed to be wanting

to do more. And at length, she could not, but own it to be her wish that poor Mrs Price should be relieved from the charge and expense of one child entirely out of her great number. What if they were among them to undertake the care of her eldest daughter? A girl now nine years old, of an age to require more attention than her poor mother could possibly give. The trouble and expense of it to them would be nothing, compared with the benevolence of the action.

“Lady Bertrim agreed with her instantly. "I think we cannot do better," said she.”

"Let us send for the child." Satomus could not give so instantaneous and unqualified a consent. He debated and hesitated. It was a serious charge. A girl, so brought up, must be adequately provided for, or there would be cruelty instead of kindness in taking care from her family. This charge. A girl, so brought up, must be adequately provided for, or there would be cruelty instead of kindness in taking care from her family. He thought of his own four children, of his two sons, of cousins,

in love, etc. But no sooner, had he deliberately begun to state his objections, then Mrs Norris interrupted him with a reply to them all, where the stated or not.

“"My dear Satomus, I perfectly comprehend you and do justice to the generosity and delicacy of”

your notions, which indeed are quite of a piece with your general conduct. And I agree with you in the main as to the propriety of doing everything one could, by way of providing for a child, one had, in a manner, taken into one's own hands." And I am sure I should be the last person in the world to withhold my might upon such an occasion. Having no children of my own, who should I look to in any little matter I may ever have to

bestow, but the children of my sisters, and I am sure Mr Norris is too just, but you know I am a woman of few words and professions. Do not let us be frightened from a good deed by a trifle. Give a girl an education, and introduce her properly into the world. Hand 10 to one, but she has the means of settling well, without further expense to anybody. A niece of ours, Satomus, I may say, or at least of yours, would not grow up in this neighborhood without many advantages.

I don't say she would be so handsome as her cousins. I dare say she would not. But she would be introduced into the society of this country under such very favourable circumstances. As in all human probability, would get her a credible establishment. You are thinking of your sons, but do not know that of all things upon earth.

That is the least likely to happen brought up as they would be, always together, like brothers and

sisters. It is morally impossible. I never knew an instance of it. It is in fact the only sure way of providing against the connection, suppose her a pretty girl, and seen by Tom or Edmund for the first time, seven years hence. And I dare say there would be mischief. The very idea of her having been suffered to grow up at a

sweet tempered boys in love with her. But breed her up with them from this time,

“and suppose her even to have the beauty of an angel, and she will never be more to either than”

a sister. There is a great seal of truth in what you say. Replied, set on us, and far be it from me to throw any fanciful impediment in the way of a plan which would be so consistent with the relative situations of each. I only mean to observe that it ought not to be lightly engaged in, and that to make it really serviceable to Mrs. Price, and credible to ourselves. We must secure to the child, or consider ourselves engaged to secure to her hair after,

as circumstances may arise. The provision of a gentle woman, if no such establishment should offer as you are so sanguine in expecting. I thoroughly understand you.

Cried Mrs. Norris, you are everything that is generous and considerate, and I am sure we shall never

disagree on this point. Whatever I can do, as you well know, I am always ready enough to do for the good of those I love, and though I could never feel for this little girl, the hundredth part of the regard I bear your own dear children, nor consider her in any respect so much my own. I should hate myself, if I were capable of neglecting her.

“Is not she a sister's child, and could I bear to see how want while I had a bit of bread to give her?”

My dear settlements, with all my faults, I have a warm heart, and poor as I am, would rather deny myself the necessary of life than doing ungenerous thing. So if you are not against it, I will write to my poor sister tomorrow and make the proposal, and as soon as matters are settled, I will engage to get the child to Mansfield. You shall have no trouble about it.

My own trouble, you know, I never regard. I will send Nani to London on purpose, and she may have

a bed at her cousin, the settlers, and the children be appointed to meet her there. They may easily get her from portsmith to town by the coach under the care of any creditable person

“that may chance to be going. I dare say there is always some reputable tradesmen's wife”

for other going up. Except to the attack on Nani's cousin, Satomas no longer made any objection, and a more respectable, though less economical rendezvous being accordingly substituted, everything was considered as settled, and the pleasures of so benevolent a scheme were already enjoyed. The division of gratifying sensations or not in strict justice to have been equal, for Satomas was fully resolved to be the real and consistent patron of the selected child,

and Mrs. Norris had not the least intention of being at any expense whatever in her maintenance as far as walking, talking, and contriving reached, she was thoroughly benevolent and nobody knew better how to dictate liberality to others, but her love of money was equal to her love of directing, and she knew quite as well how to save her own as to spend that of her friends. Having married on a narrower income than she had been used to look forward to,

she had, from the first, fancied a very strict line of economy necessary, and what was begun as a matter of prudence, soon grew into a matter of choice, as an object of that needful solicitude which there were no children to supply.

Had there been a family to provide for, Mrs. Norris might never have saved her money.

But having no care of that kind, there was nothing to impede her frugality, or lessen the comfort of making a yearly addition to an income which they had never lived up to. Under this, infactuating principle, counteracted by no real affection for a sister, it was impossible for her to aim at more than the credit of projecting and arranging so expensive a charity.

Perhaps she might so little know herself as to walk home to the passenger after this conversation,

When the subject was brought forward again, her views were more fully explained,

“and didn't reply to Lady Bertrand's calm inquiry of,”

"Where shall the child come to your first sister to you or to us?"

Satomas heard with some surprise that it would be totally out of Mrs. Norris's power to take any share in the personal charge of her. He had been considering her as a particularly welcome addition at the passenger, as a desirable companion to an aunt who had no children of her own. But he found himself wholly mistaken. Mrs. Norris was sorry to say that the little girls staying with them, at least as things then were, was quite out of the question.

Poor Mr. Norris is in different state of health made it an impossibility.

He could no more bear the noise of a child than he could fly.

If indeed, he should ever get well of his guilty complaints. It would be a different matter. She should then be glad to take her turn and think nothing of the inconvenience. But just now, or Mr. Norris took up every moment of her time and the very mention of such a thing she was sure would distract him. "Then she had better come to us!" said Lady Bertram with the utmost composure. "After a short pause," Satomas added with dignity.

"Yes, let her home be in this house. We will endeavor to do our duty by her and she will at least

have the advantage of companions of her own age and of a regular instructors."

“"Very true," cried Mrs. Norris, which are both very important considerations.”

"It will be just the same to Miss Lee where there she has three girls to teach or only two. There can be no difference. I only wish I could be more useful, but you see I do all in my power. I'm not one of those that spare their own trouble and nanny shall fetch her. However, it may put me to inconvenience to have my chief counselor away for three days. I suppose, dear sister, you will put to the child in the little white attic,

near the old nurseries. It will be much the best place for her, so near Miss Lee and not far from the girls, and close by the housemates, who could either of them help to dress how you know and take care of her clothes. For I suppose you would not think it fair to expect Alice to wait on her as well as the others. Indeed, I do not see that she could possibly place her in Barrouse." Lady Bertram made no opposition. "I hope she will prove a well-disposed girl

continued Mrs. Norris, and be sensible of her uncommon good fortune in having such friends." "Should her disposition be really bad?" said Sathomas. "We must not for our own children say continue her in the family. But there is no reason to expect so great in evil. We shall probably see much to wish all to do in her and must prepare ourselves for gross ignorance, some meanness of opinions, and very distressing vulgarity of manner.

But these are not incurable faults. Nor I trust can they be dangerous for her associates. Had my daughter's been younger than herself, I should have considered the introduction of such companion as a matter of very serious moment. But, as it is I suppose there can be nothing to fear

“for them and everything to hope for her from the association." "That is exactly what I think."”

cried Mrs. Norris. "And what I was saying to my husband this morning, it would be an education for the child," said I, only being with her cousins. "If Miss Lee taught her nothing, she would learn to be good and clever from them." "I hope she will not tease my poor pug," said Lady Bertram. "I have but just got Julia to leave it alone." "There will be some difficulty in our way Mrs. Norris." observed Sathomas, as to the distinction

the consciousness of what they are, without making them think too lowly of their cousin,

“and how without depressing her spirits too far to make her remember that she is not a Miss Bertram.”

I should wish to see them very good friends, and would on no account authorise in my girls the smallest degree of arrogance towards their relation, but still, they cannot be equals.

Their rank, fortune, rights, and expectations will always be different.

It is a point of great delicacy, and you must assist us in our endeavors to choose exactly the right line of conduct. Mrs. Norris was quite at his service, and though she perfectly agreed with him as to its being a most difficult thing, encouraged him to hope that between them, it would be easily managed. It will be readily believed that Mrs. Norris did not write to her sister

“in vain. Mrs. Price seemed rather surprised that a girl should be fixed on when she had so many”

fine boys, but accepted the offer most thankfully, assuring them of her daughters being a very

well disposed, good humorous girl, and trusting they would never have caused to throw her off.

She spoke of her father as somewhat delicate and puny, but with sanguine in the hope of her being materially better for the change of her. Poor woman, she probably thought the change of her might agree with many of her children. Chapter 2 The little girl performed her long journey in safety, and at Northampton was met by Mrs. Norris, who thus regaled in the credit of being foremost to welcome her, and did the importance of

“leading her to the others, and recommending her to their kindness.”

Fanny Price was at this time just ten years old, and though there might not be much in her first

appearance to captivate, there was at least nothing to discuss her relations. She was small of her age, with no glow of complexion, nor any other striking beauty, exceedingly timid, and shy, shrinking from notice. But her air, though awkward, was not vulgar, her voice was sweet, and when she spoke her countenance was pretty. Settomas and Lady Bertram received her very kindly, and Settomas, seeing how much she needed

encouragement, tried to be all that was conciliating, but he had to work against a most unto ward gravity of deportment. And Lady Bertram, without taking half so much trouble, or speaking one word where he spoke ten, by the mere aid of a good human smile, became immediately the less awful character of the two. The young people were all at home, and sustained their share in the introduction very well,

with much good humour and no embarrassment, at least on the part of the sons who at 17 and 16, and tall of their age, had all the grandeur of men in the eyes of their little cousin. The two girls were more at a loss, from being younger and in greater awe of their father, who addressed them on the occasion with rather an injudicious particularity. But they were too much used to company and praise to have anything like natural shyness,

and their confidence increasing from their cousins total one to it. They were soon able to take a full survey of her face and her frog in easy indifference. They were remarkably fine family, the sons very well looking, the daughters decidedly handsome, and all of them well gowned and forward of their age, which produced as striking a difference between the cousins in person as education had given to their address, and no one would have

They were in fact, but two years between the youngest and fanny.

“Julia Bertram was only 12, and Mariah but a year older.”

The little visitor meanwhile was as unhappy as possible, afraid of everybody, ashamed of herself, and longing for the home she had left. She knew not how to look up, and could scarcely speak to be heard, or without crying. Mrs. Norris had been talking to her the whole way from Northampton of her wonderful good fortune, and the extraordinary degree of gratitude and good behaviour which it ought to produce,

and her consciousness of misery was therefore increased by the idea of its being a wicked thing for her not to be happy. The fatigue, too, of so long a journey became soon, no trifling evil,

“in vain were the well-manned condescensions of satomas, and all the efficacious”

prognostications of Mrs. Norris that she would be a good girl. In vain did Lady Bertram's smile and make her sit on the sofa with herself, and pug, and vain was even the sight of a goose-breed heart towards giving her comfort. She could scarcely swallow two mouthfuls before tears interrupted her, and sleep, seeming to be her likelyest friend. She was taken to finish her sorrows in bed.

"This is not a very promising beginning," said Mrs. Norris, when Fanny had left the room. After all that I said to her as we came along, I thought she would have behaved better.

“I told her how much might depend upon her acquitting herself well at first.”

I wish there may not be a little sulkyness of temper. Her poor mother had a good deal, but we must make allowances for such a child, and I do not know that her being sorry to leave her home is really against her. For with all its faults it was her home, and she cannot as yet understand how much she has changed for the better. But then there is moderation in all things. It required a longer time however than Mrs. Norris was inclined to allow, to reconcile Fanny to

the novelty of Mansfield Park, and the separation from everybody she had been used to. Her feelings were very acute, and too little understood to be properly attended to. Nobody meant to be unkind, but nobody put themselves out of their way to secure her comfort. The holiday allowed to the Miss Bertrims the next day, on purpose to afford leisure for getting acquainted with, and entertaining their young cousin, produced little union.

They could not but hold her cheap on finding that she had but two sashes, and had never learned

French. And when they perceived her to be little struck with the due at they were so good as to play, they could do no more than make her a generous present of some of their least valued toys, and leave her to herself, while they adorned to whatever might be the favorite holiday sport of the moment, making art official flowers, or wasting gold paper. Fanny were the near or from her cousins, were there in the school room, the drawing room,

or in the shrubbery, was equally for law, finding something to fear in every person and place. She was disheartened by Lady Bertrims' silence, ordered by Sir Thomas's grave looks, and quite overcome by Mrs. Norris's admonitions. Her elder cousins, mortified her by reflections on her size, and abashed her by noticing her shyness. Miss Lee wondered at her ignorance, and the maid servants sneered at her clothes.

And when to these sorrows was added the idea of the brothers and sisters among whom she had always

been important as a play fellow, instructress and nurse, the despondents that sunk her little heart

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