Chapter 1
Emma and Harriet had been walking together one morning, and, in
Emma's opinion, had been talking enough of Mr. Elton for that day.
She could not think that Harriet's solace or her own sins required
more; and she was therefore industriously getting rid of the
subject as they returned;—but it burst out again when she thought
she had succeeded, and after speaking some time of what the poor
must suffer in winter, and receiving no other answer than a very
plaintive— "Mr. Elton is so good to the poor!" she found something
else must be done.
They were just approaching the house where lived Mrs. and Miss
Bates. She determined to call upon them and seek safety in numbers.
There was always sufficient reason for such an attention; Mrs. and
Miss Bates loved to be called on, and
