`Iamverymuchastonished,Mr.Elton.Thist`Yes,\'saidJohnKnightley,`andIthinkweshallhaveagooddealofit.\'
`Christmasweather,\'observedMr.Elton.`Quiteseasonable;andextremelyfortunatewemaythinkourselvesthatitdidnotbeginyesterday,andpreventthisday\'sparty,whichitmightverypossiblyhavedone,forMr.Woodhousewouldhardlyhaveventuredhadtherebeenmuchsnowontheground;butnowitisofnoconsequence.Thisisquitetheseasonindeedforfriendlymeetings.AtChristmaseverybodyinvitestheirfriendsaboutthem,andpeoplethinklittleofeventheworstweather.Iwassnowedupatafriend\'shouseonceforaweek.Nothingcouldbepleasanter.Iwentforonlyonenight,andcouldnotgetawaytillthatverydayse\'nnight.\'
Mr.JohnKnightleylookedasifhedidnotcomprehendthepleasure,butsaidonly,coolly,
`IcannotwishtobesnowedupaweekatRandalls.\'
AtanothertimeEmmamighthavebeenamused,butshewastoomuchastonishednowatMr.Elton\'sspiritsforotherfeelings.Harrietseemedquiteforgottenintheexpectationofapleasantparty.