Trifles Light as Air

By Michelle R. Wood

These short stories retell the classic story of Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey, one for each week of the year, each one an exploration what the characters might have thought and done beyond the novel's pages. Some are short and sweet, others the length of a full chapter. Familiar voices speak to otherwise minor details and characters previously kept in the background become fully realized.

 

The title comes from Shakespeare's Othello, as quoted by Miss Austen in Chapter One, with quotations from the book throughout. Enjoy this timeless tale with new eyes, ears, and heart.

• Language: English
• Publisher: scrimshaw
• Release date: Dec 11, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215777145

Michelle R. Wood

"Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration." — Thomas Edison (Harper's Magazine, 1932) Michelle R. Wood studied at East Carolina University, earning a Bachelor of Arts with majors in Theatre and English. Her education included study abroad in London and an internship with Walt Disney World. Michelle has worked in theatres across the state of North Carolina and beyond, ranging from fullscale musicals at regional production companies to dramatic two-handers and blackbox Shakespeare. She also led camps and workshops for a variety of venues, as well as crews of interns and young student performers. Further training and experience includes communication, media, and technology, including editing/proofreading, document layout/design, content generation, marketing, video/photo editing, and web development. A portfolio of Michelle's work may be found online.

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January 1

Such Weather Here

It rained for several days before Twelfth Night, straining even the Morland family's equanimity. Catherine was torn between assisting her mother by keeping peace among the little ones, and indulging her own desire to venture out.

At least she could escape the weather in books: thank goodness for Mrs. Radcliffe!

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Title from Chapter 11 of Northanger Abbey:

Oh! That we had such weather here as they had at Udolpho, or at least in Tuscany and the south of France!—the night that poor St. Aubin died!—such beautiful weather!

January 8

Moderation and Composure

Taking tea with Mrs. Allen was a regular occurrence for Mrs. Morland and any of her children deemed capable of sitting for so long. Today that was her two oldest daughters, who at least feigned interest in their neighbour's conversation.

We would like Catherine to join us, Mrs. Allen concluded her raptures on the shops of Bath with this singular invitation. I am sure Sally is full young to leave home.

Whether Sally agreed or not, her reaction was more disciplined than her sister's, who visibly started, gasped, and cried out, Oh thank you! before remembering her mother had been addressed, then turning earnest eyes of entreaty in Mrs. Morland's direction.

Her eldest had improved over the last year, with only the occasional lapse of attention or manner. Some experience in the greater world might be to her benefit. I have no objection, provided Mr. Morland agrees; I shall ask when he returns. This reply provoked warm smiles all around, and even warmer panegyrics on their walk back to the parsonage.

After all, Catherine was a good girl at heart. Surely, with Mrs. Allen as her chaperone, she could not find too much mischief even in a place like Bath.

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Title from Chapter 2 of Northanger Abbey:

Everything indeed relative to this important journey was done, on the part of the Morlands, with a degree of moderation and composure, which seemed rather consistent with the common feelings of common life....

January 15

Uncomfortably Circumstanced

There were few occasions more delightful to Eleanor than a visit from her brothers: Frederick because he did not come often enough for disgust, and Henry from genuine delight in his company. During December she was spoiled with a surfeit of both, and more guests besides, an unparalleled gift.

In comparison, the weeks since Epiphany were very gloomy indeed. Eleanor tried to stay reasonable while working at a screen, but melancholy knocked repeatedly at her heart, and if she were honest, not merely from loneliness. Her father's irritability over the season's confinement was palpable even from the opposite end of the abbey.

But Henry would return as promised. It was too much to hope for anyone else; no friend of theirs would visit again so soon (or in her darkest fears, ever).

Still, Henry's presence was always welcome, working his merry magic to make it feel like home once more.

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Title from Chapter 20 of Northanger Abbey:

His sister, he said, was uncomfortably circumstanced—she had no female companion—and, in the frequent absence of her father, was sometimes without any companion at all.

January 22

The Object of Expectation

It was not completely unknown for the Morlands to dine with the Allens, but an occasion all the same. James and Richard were away at Oxford, and the babies left at home, but the rest of the family filled Fullerton's chief residence with cheer.

This cozy setting was Catherine's idea of a large party; it was difficult to conceive of a space with thrice and more the number present. Even the occasional assembly she had attended was dwarfed by comparison.

Easier, as she and her sisters retired later that night, to anticipate enjoying a room of her own in Bath.

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Title from Chapter 10 of Northanger Abbey:

The morning had answered all her hopes, and the evening of the following day was now the object of expectation, the future good.

January 29

Middling

At his most cynical, Henry took Christ's description of nowhere to lay his head personally. Absurd, considering the many rooms in his father's house; but though Woodston was ostensibly his home, the parsonage remained bare and the parish often left to his curate.

Henry preached regularly—monthly—certainly more than many. The longer he remained the more he wished to; visits to his sister inevitably lengthened to relieve her solitude.

His was an unsettled existence, not unhappy or poor: more anticipatory than repressive. Any maudlin sensibility was truly laughable.

After all, paternal authority could compel far worse than a trip to Bath.

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Quote from Matthew Chapter 8:

The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

February 5

Friendship's Progress

Two days' experience, while not lessening the pleasures received by the Thorpe and Allen parties in meeting, had temporarily exhausted the Pump Room's virtues. After sitting through plays and sermons together, the ladies determined on the more industrious activity of visiting shops.

Miss Thorpe most particularly sought Miss Morland's opinion regarding the wares admired. What say you to this hat? Should I try it on?

If you like, it is a very pleasant colour.

"As to that, I could not say; I have never thought it looked well on me, and is far out of style."

After a moment's reflection, and some other canny hints, Miss Morland was bound to agree. This error in judgement was blamed on familial prejudice. Her eldest brother always complimented purple; so she—with no opinion on the subject—had adopted his.

Oh! perhaps I misjudged; it may suit, especially with matching gloves, and as a novelty. There now, look at those pretty baubles across the street, I am sure something will do for you as handsomely.

As it turned out, nothing did; but Miss Morland was not disappointed. To learn of taste while also serving, however meekly, as its arbiter, was pleasure enough for the present.

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Title from Chapter 5 of Northanger Abbey:

The progress of the friendship between Catherine and Isabella was quick as its beginning had been warm....

February 12

The Force of Love

Had we not better rest the horses?

What? And get to Bath past dark, when you mean to get Belle as your partner for the first set tonight? What a joke!

James Morland did not, as a general rule, drive so fast as his friend (when given the opportunity to drive at all). But as on so many other occasions, he deferred to Thorpe's greater experience and judgement. What lingering doubts he possessed were assuaged by considering how their speed brought them ever closer to his heart's desire.

After all, he very much wished to dance with her that evening.

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Title from Chapter 15 of Northanger Abbey:

Here Catherine again discerned the force of love.

February 19

Fresh Feelings of Every Sort

When Eleanor inquired after Miss Morland's opinion of the landscape, Henry was slightly shamed to realize he had, if not forgotten, ignored their companion for some time. Her recent silence was explained when she demurred, candidly admitting her ignorance and longingly glancing about with more honest admiration than any sophisticated peon to nature voiced by those who only wished to view it—cultivated and contorted beyond recognition—from a drawing room window. She did not blush nor sigh more than once, without real embarrassment beyond a bit of shyness at the admission; rather like the path they trod, unspoiled but not unkempt.

The sun suited her much better than candlelight.

Should you like to learn? he asked cheerfully, and was answered with such eagerness he launched into the subject with relish, encouraged by every glowing smile and answering question. Miss Morland's understanding, like her looks,