A Long Overdue Letter
*** For newer readers: Occasionally, Mr. Darcy the Sheep contributes his correspondence to the newsletter. ***
Dearest Friend,
I do hope this finds you well.
It has been a shamefully long time since I have taken pen to hoof and informed you of the most recent events in the neighborhood. Do please forgive my lapse.
I must begin by relaying that the neighborhood seems to have changed dramatically since last I wrote. On one strange day last February, several of my companions and I were led into a long rectangular box. We were placed carefully into a precise and snug arrangement then the doors were closed. After a great deal of bouncing, shaking, and a most prodigious amount of noise, the doors were reopened.
We found all the paddocks, buildings, shelters, pigs, and cows had been removed. The buildings, pastures, and animals that stood in their places were lovely, but unfamiliar.
I have no wish to re-enter such a box again. Should you encounter one in your future dealings, I strongly advise you to consider carefully the risks of insinuating oneself within.
In any case, we have all made ourselves comfortable in the new arrangements.
My dear friend Mr. Knightley and I have settled in as near neighbors in adjoining apartments. We sometimes are joined by a pair of older gentlemen donkeys in the early evenings for a cordial sharing of hay and water.
We can see Mr. Bingley not far off in his own estate, which is just to the north, somewhat nearer to the location where the ladies choose to linger over their gossip and grass.
All of us gentlemen look forward to the time in the Fall when we will be hosting some of the ladies at some special entertainments in our private establishments.
We have had some visitors already, and I must confess that not all have been equally pleasant. You might bring to your remembrance an earlier letter wherein I described Mr. Knightley’s shearing? It seems the change in local scenery did not keep the shearers from finding us again. We are, all of us, in a shocking state. I beg you, if you had been planning a visit in the near future, to give us some weeks to improve our appearance.
We are most undignified at present.
There are two more very important pieces of news I must report to you, dear friend, before I close this epistle.
The first is that, despite the dramatic change in surroundings, we are still quite surrounded by The Regiment. In truth, I believe there are multiple companies inhabiting the local surrounds.
One company, comprised mostly of older veterans, is billeted near my own abode. They seem to be quite vocal, particularly in the mornings, when one and then another will begin singing a rowdy song at the top of its lungs, often joined by its fellows in a cacophonous chorus. It is commanded by a diminutive officer who insists on crowing orders before the break of day.
A second company has its barracks near our Mr. Bingley, and they seem to be younger recruits. They are often in the yard, drilling and making noise. Their discipline leaves something to be desired.
And then there is a tiny little company that is housed in an odd, small structure. Mr. Knightley and I have discussed this subject at length, and we believe one or more of them may be afraid of the dark, as they leave the light on all night. Perhaps the crowing officer is the source of their fear.
In any case, dear reader, I can assure you that the farm is well defended, if numbers and noise are sufficient for a defense.
Finally, I must tell you the ovine population of our little band has been steadily increasing. Since the Box Incident, we have added four young lads to the neighborhood, two just this week.
And so, without further ado, I give myself the honor of introducing to you our latest new gentlemen, Lucas (Maryanne’s lamb) and Frederick (Louisa’s lamb). Mr. Bingley is beside himself with joy to have two little images of himself adorning the paddock.
Lucas (and Martin) on The Rocks (the lambs’ favorite playground):
And Frederick, one hour old:
Most sincerely yours,
Mr. Darcy the Sheep
P.S. To watch more Pemberley Farm videos, you can follow MrDarcyTheSheep on YouTube.
