"It is more easily explained than taught," replied Emma, "unaffected good-humour, sincerity, and simplicity. That is all!"
Tom took himself off, and as the sound of his curricle wheels died away in the distance, Mr. Watson observed:
"There goes a young man, who if he had had to work for his bread might have been a useful member of society. But unfortunately the father made a fortune, so the son can only make a fool of himself."
"I suppose some of you girls will be for going over to return Mrs. Willis's visit," said Mr. Watson to his daughters, the next day; "she's a nice little woman so far as I saw, and I have no objection to your visiting her; but you must go to-morrow, if you go at all this week, for I cannot spare the horse after that day."
"Well, Emma," said Margaret directly, "I will drive you over to-morrow if you like—you don't drive, I dare say!"
"I think," said Emma, "that Elizabeth ought to go, because as it is a first visit, and she is the eldest—it will seem more complimentary."
"Certainly," cried Elizabeth, who was quite as anxious as Margaret to pay the visit, "you and I, Emma, must go at all events."
"But then _I_ can't," exclaimed Margaret, "and why am _I_ to be left out? if Elizabeth goes, because _she_ is eldest, I have the best right to go too, when Pen is away, for I am older than Emma, at all events."
"But as the visit was paid especially to Emma," rejoined Elizabeth, "it is quite impossible that she should give up to you. She _must_ go."
"Oh, yes, every body must go but me, that is always the way, it's very hard."
"Would not the chaise hold three?" suggested Emma, anxious for a compromise, "Margaret is so slight, and I am not large, I am sure we could sit so."
"I dare say you could," replied her father, "but I can tell you, you would have to sit in the stable-yard if you did, for the old horse could not draw you, and should not make the attempt—no, no, if Margaret wants to go she may wait till next time—if you pay visits at all, you shall pay them properly."
The consequence of this decision on the part of their father, was such an increase of fretfulness in Margaret for the rest of the day, as to make Emma inclined to think the society of her new acquaintance would be dearly bought at such a penalty. Elizabeth bore it with the indifference produced by long habit.