She was very feverish and had a bad sore throat: Mrs.Goddard was full of care and affection, Mr.Perry was talked of, and Harriet herself was too ill and low to resist the authority which excluded her from this delightful engagement, though she could not speak of her loss without many tears.
Emma sat with her as long as she could, to attend her in Mrs.Goddard's unavoidable absences, and raise her spirits by representing how much Mr.
Elton's would be depressed when he knew her state; and left her at last tolerably comfortable, in the sweet dependence of his having a most comfortless visit, and of their all missing her very much.

She had not advanced many yards from Mrs.Goddard's door, when she was met by Mr.
Elton himself, evidently coming towards it, and as they walked on slowly together in conversation about the invalid--of whom he, on the rumour of considerable illness, had been going to inquire, that he might carry some report of her to Hartfield--they were overtaken by Mr.John Knightley returning from the daily visit to Donwell, with his two eldest boys, whose healthy, glowing faces shewed all the benefit of a country run, and seemed to ensure a quick despatch of the roast mutton and rice pudding they were hastening home for.

They joined company and proceeded together.

Emma was just describing the nature of her friend's complaint;--"a throat very much inflamed, with a great deal of heat about her, a quick, low pulse, &c.

and she was sorry to find from Mrs.
Goddard that Harriet was liable to very bad sore-throats, and had often alarmed her with them." Mr.Elton looked all alarm on the occasion, as he exclaimed, "A sore-throat!--I hope not infectious.