Chapter 10

           Theappearanceofthelittlesitting-roomastheyentered,wastranquillityitself;Mrs.Bates,deprivedofherusualemployment,slumberingononesideofthefire,FrankChurchill,atatablenearher,mostdeedilyoccupiedaboutherspectacles,andJaneFairfax,standingwithherbacktothem,intentonherpianoforte.

           Busyashewas,however,theyoungmanwasyetabletoshewamosthappycountenanceonseeingEmmaagain.

           "Thisisapleasure,"saidhe,inratheralowvoice,"comingatleasttenminutesearlierthanIhadcalculated.Youfindmetryingtobeuseful;tellmeifyouthinkIshallsucceed."

           "What!"saidMrs.Weston,"havenotyoufinishedityet?youwouldnotearnaverygoodlivelihoodasaworkingsilversmithatthisrate."

           "Ihavenotbeenworkinguninterruptedly,"hereplied,"IhavebeenassistingMissFairfaxintryingtomakeherinstrumentstandsteadily,itwasnotquitefirm;anunevennessinthefloor,Ibelieve.Youseewehavebeenwedgingonelegwithpaper.Thiswasverykindofyoutobepersuadedtocome.Iwasalmostafraidyouwouldbehurryinghome."

           Hecontrivedthatsheshouldbeseatedbyhim;andwassufficientlyemployedinlookingoutthebestbakedappleforher,andtryingtomakeherhelporadvisehiminhiswork,tillJaneFairfaxwasquitereadytositdowntothepianoforteagain.