21 Emma By Jane Austen

This guided reading is of Emma, the fourth major novel penned by Jane Austen. In this episode, we meet Miss Ward. The Woodhouses’ inner circle consists of people who share either comparable levels of wealth and familial prestige or who have long-standing ties of affection. In this episode, Emma receives praise from Mr Knightley.
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Transcript

Volume 2 Chapter 3 Emma could not forgive. But as neither provocation nor resentment were discerned by Mr Knightley, Who'd been of the party, And had seen only proper attention and pleasing behaviour on each side, He was expressing the next morning being at Hartfield again on business with Mr. Woodhouse is approbation of the whole. Not so openly as he might have done had her father been out of the room. But speaking plain enough to be very intelligible to Emma. He had been used to think her unjust to Jane and had now great pleasure in marking an improvement. A very pleasant evening, He began, As soon as Mr. Woodhouse had been talked into what was necessary, Told he understood, And the paper swept away. Particularly pleasant. You and Miss Fairfax gave us some very good music. I do not know a more luxurious state, Sir, Than sitting at one's ease to be entertained a whole evening by two such young women. Sometimes with music and sometimes with conversation. I'm sure Miss Fairfax must have found the evening pleasant, Emma. You left nothing undone. I was glad you paid her place so much. For having no instrument at her grandmother's, It must have been a real indulgence. I'm happy you approved, " said Emma smiling, But I hope I'm not often deficient in what is due to guests at Harfield. No, My dear, " said her father instantly, That I'm sure you're not. There is nobody half so attentive and civil as you are. If anything, You're too attentive. The muffin last night, If it had been handed round once, I think it would have been enough. No, " said Mr Knightley nearly at the same time. You're not often deficient. Not often deficient either in manner or comprehension. I think you understand me therefore. An arch look expressed. I understand you well enough. Pajama said. Miss Fairfax is reserved. I always told you she was a little. . . But she will soon overcome all that part of her reserve which ought to be overcome, All that has its foundation in dividends. What arises from discretion must be honoured. You think her diffident? I do not see it. My dear Emma. Said he, Moving from his chair into one close by her. You're not going to tell me I hope you had not a pleasant evening. Oh no! " said Emma, Looking at Mr Knightley. I was pleased with my own perseverance in answering questions and. . . Amused to think how little information I obtained. I am disappointed, Was his only answer. I hope everybody had a pleasant evening, " said Mr Woodhouse in his quiet way. I had. Once I felt the fire rather too much, But then I moved my chair back a little. And it did not disturb me. Miss Bates was very chatty and good humoured as she always is. She speaks rather too quick. However, She is very agreeable and Mrs Bates too in a different way. I like old friends. And Miss Jane Fairfax is a pretty sort of young lady. A very pretty and well-behaved young lady indeed. She must have found the evening agreeable, Mr Knightley, Because she had Emma. True, Sir. And Emma, Because she had Miss Fairfax. Emma saw Mr. Knightley's anxiety. And wishing to appease it, At least for the present, She said, With a sincerity which no one could question. She is the sort of elegant creature that one cannot keep one's eyes from. I'm always watching her to admire. And I do pity her from my heart. Mr Knightley then looked as if he were more gratified than he cared to express. And before he could make any reply, Mr Woodhouse, Whose thoughts were on the baits, He says, It's a great pity their circumstances should be so confined. A great pity indeed. I've often wished, But it's so little one can venture to do. Small trifling presence of anything uncommon. Now we have killed a porker and Emma thinks of sending them a loin or a leg. It is very small and delicate. Hard-fueled pork is not like any other pork. But still it is poor. And my dear Emma, Unless one could be sure of making it into steaks nicely fried as ours are, Without the smallest grease, And not roasted, For no stomach can bear roast pork. I think we better send the leg, Do you not, My dear? My dear Papa, I sent the whole hindquarter. I knew you would wish it. There will be the leg to be sorted you know which is so very nice and the loin to be dressed directly in any manner they like. That's right, My dear, Very right. I had not thought of it before, But yes, That is the best way. They must not over-salt the legs. It is not over salted, If it is very thoroughly boiled. And eaten very moderately off with a boiled turnip, A little carrot or parsnip. I do not consider it unwholesome. Said Mr Knightley presently. I have a piece of news for you. You like news. I heard in an article in my way hither, I think will interest you. News? Oh yes, I always like news. What is it? You smile so. . . Where did you hear it? At Randall's? Mr Knightley had only time to say, No not at Randalls, I've not been near Randalls, When the door was thrown open and Miss Bates and Miss Fairfax walked into the room. Full of thanks and full of news, Miss Bates knew not which to give quickest. Mr Knightley then saw he'd lost his moment, And not another syllable of communication could rest with him. Oh my dear sir, How are you this morning? My dear Miss Woodhouse, I come quite overpowered. Such a beautiful hindquarter of pork. You are too bountiful. Have you heard the news? Mr Elton's going to be married. Emma had not had time even to think of Mr Elton, And she was so completely surprised she could not avoid a little start and a blush at the sound. But where could you hear it? " cried Miss Bates. Where could you possibly hear it, Mr Knightley? It is not five minutes since I received Mrs Cole's note. It cannot be more than five, Or at least ten, For I'd got my bonnet and spencer on just ready to come out. I was only gone down to speak to Patty again about the pool. Jane was standing in the passage, Were you not Jane? For my mother was so afraid we had not any salting pan large enough, So I said I would go down and see. And Jane said, Shall I go down instead? For I think you have a little cold and Patty has been washing the kitchen. Oh, My dear, Said I. Well, I just then came and saw the goat. And Miss Hawkins, That's all I know. And Miss Hawkins of Bath. But Mr Knightley, How could you possibly have heard it? From the very moment Mr Cole told Mrs Cole of it, She sat down and wrote to me. And Miss Hawkins. I was with Mr Cole on business an hour and a half ago, " said Mr Knightley. He'd just read Elton's letter as I was shown in, And handed it to me directly. That's quite. . . I suppose there never was a piece of news more generally interesting. My dear sir, You really are too bountiful. My mother desires her very best compliments and regards and a thousand thanks and says you really quite impress her. We consider our heart filled pork, " replied Mr. Woodhouse. Indeed, It certainly is so very superior to all other pork that Emma and I cannot have a greater pleasure than, Oh, My dear sir, As my mother says, Our friends are too good to us. If there were people who, Without having great wealth themselves, Had everything they could wish for, I'm sure it is us. We may well say our lot is cast in goodly heritage. Well, Mr Knightley, And so you actually saw the letter? But how? It was short. Said Mr Knightley. Merely to announce, But cheerful, Exulting, Of course. Here was a sly glance at Emma. He had been so fortunate as to. . . I forget the precise words. One has no business to remember them, Said Mr Knightley. Mr Elton's going to be married? " said Emma, As soon as she could speak. He will have everybody's wishes for his happiness. He's very young to settle. Was Mr Woodhouse's observation. He better not be in a hurry. He seemed to me very well off as he was. We were always glad to see him at Hartfield. A new neighbour for us all, Miss Woodhouse, " said Miss Bates joyfully. My mother so pleased. She said she cannot bear to have the poor old vicarage without a mistress. This is great news indeed! Jane, You have never seen Mr Elton. No wonder you have such curiosity to see him. Jane's curiosity did not appear of that absorbing nature as holy to occupy her. No, I've never seen Mr Elton, " she replied, Starting on this appeal. Is he a tool man? Who shall answer that question? " cried Emma. My father would say yes, Mr Knightley would say no, And Miss Bates and I that he's just the happy medium. When you have been here a little longer, Miss Fairfax, You will understand that Mr Elton is the standard of perfection in Highbury, Both in person and in mind. Very true, Mrs. Woodhouse, So she will. He's the very best young man, Jane. But my dear, If you remember, I told you yesterday he was precisely the height of Mr. Perry. Miss Hawkins, I dare say an excellent young woman. His extreme attention to my mother, Wanting her to sit in the vicarage pew that she might hear the better, For my mother is a little deaf, You know. It is not March, But she does not hear quite quick. Jane says Colonel Campbell is a little deaf. He fancies bathing might be good for it. The warm bath, You know. But she says it did him no lasting benefit. Colonel Campbell, You know, Is quite our angel. Now, Here will be Mr. Elton and Miss Hawkins, And there are the Coles, Such very good people, And the Perrys, And Mr. Dixon seems a very charming young man, Quite worthy of him. Hmm, I think there are few places with such societies, Highbury. Turning to Mr. Woodhouse. I always say we're quite blessed in our neighbours. My dear sir, If there's one thing my mother loves better than another, It's pork. A roast loin of pork. As to who or what Miss Hawkins is, Or how long he has been acquainted with her, Said Emma. Nothing, I suppose, Can be known. One feels it cannot be a very long acquaintance. He has been gone only four weeks. No one had any information to give. And after a few more wanderings, Emma said. You are silent, Miss Fairfax. But I hope you mean to take an interest in this news. You who have been hearing and seeing so much of late on these subjects. Who must have been so deep in the business on Miss Campbell's account. We shall not excuse your being indifferent about Mr Elton and Miss Hawkins.