Persuasions #12, 1990 Page 141
Speech by “Mrs. Elton” on the occasion of the Memorial Picnic of JASNA-IL, Summer,
1990 ELEANOR PUNKAY Chicago IL My caro sposo and I are pleased to have been invited to this
ceremony in which tribute is paid to the novelist Jane Austen. We, of course, are welcome everywhere,
because of my lord and master’s profession and especially because of my
family’s connections. My sister at
Maple Grove would certainly wish me to participate in the present
festivities. I am a great reader – I am
so fond of reading! Novels have always
been part of my resources – especially the novels of Miss Austen. She is especially understanding of the
arduous duties of a clergyman and his wife, as depicted so well in that fine
novel, Emma – or so I am told; I have had no time for reading since I
married, and I did not, myself, read this work, but dear Jane Fairfax – or was
it Knightley? – has told me all about it.
We are all such good friends! How do you like my dress and hat? I hope I am not dressed too fine for a
picnic. Here, sit down beside me. We can talk about Miss Austen’s novels. Have you read Jane Eyre? |