[Emma] Becoming Jane Fairfax

For this party, Emma made a lot of preparations, especially when she knew that the Amedeo siblings from London were also present at the party, so she made more careful preparations.She had had a hard time with Mrs. Elton, and she knew how much those who claimed to be from the big cities looked down on a small town like Highbury, and she didn't want to lose face in front of the Amedeos.

Although, in Emma's opinion, everything in Hatfield is good, but she still carefully selected for a long time and brought the best ingredients.

However, she did not expect that the kitchen in the log cabin should have nothing but a bare stove, not to mention that it is far from the big kitchen in Hatfield, even the kitchen in the Bates family, which she despises very much, is better than the kitchen. not on.Emma began to worry before lunch time.

Of course she can't cook, Harriet has been living in Mrs. Goddard's school, so naturally she can't, Miss Amedeo...no need to ask, I can only count on Jane again.

When Wei Lai was boiling water, he realized that he had to shoulder the heavy responsibility of cooking. Before Emma could ask her, she entered the kitchen and rolled up her sleeves to prepare for cooking.

Emma felt sorry, so she pulled Harriet and followed.As soon as the three of them left, Lydia was the only lady left. The three men were chatting about politics and economics, and they were bored. She also lifted her skirt and went to the kitchen.

The kitchen of the log cabin was not big, and the three of them felt that they couldn't get away. Lydia just stood at the door and didn't go in. She didn't know how to cook anyway, so she didn't want to make trouble.

Emma brought two full baskets of food, but except for the pre-made pastries and bread, which were cooked, the rest were raw, including bacon, potatoes, lettuce, peas, and a whole chicken!

When her parents just divorced, Wei Lai lived a life where no one wanted to take care of her. She was forced to live a self-reliant life very early. Among other things, her cooking skills were taught by her friends. It was well received, but, looking at this whole chicken, she was very troubled for a while.She guessed that Emma wanted to make chicken soup, but as far as the current conditions were concerned, it would be good to drink tea, but chicken soup was out of the question.

Emma and Harriet helped wash the potatoes, lettuce and peas, and put them in bowls for Wei Lai.

When the fire on the stove was hot, Wei Lai also finished handling the chicken. She cut off the chicken legs and breast, and simply put salt on it. She also cut the bread into thick slices and baked it in the pan for a while. When both sides were golden and the four sides of the bread shrunk in, she put the bread slices on a plate and poured the sliced ​​bacon into it. There was a sizzle in the pot, and white smoke rose quickly.

Emma and Harriet coughed twice from the smoke, covered their mouths, and backed away. Emma didn't forget to tell Wei Lai, "Jane, don't do it, come out first."

How can the meat stay away from people in the pot? If you don't pay attention, it will become mushy. Wei Lai waved his hand to Emma without looking back, and kept turning the pot with the other hand.

The smoked pork was forced out of fat with a special smoky and salty taste. Wei Lai put the chicken in with the skin side down, and threw in the potatoes that had been cut into two.

Slowly, the aroma of meat and potatoes drifted away.

Emma and Harriet standing at the door were stunned by Wei Lai's series of actions. Although she knew that Jane was very capable, in her opinion, it was perfectly normal for an educated lady to like reading, painting or playing the piano. Yes, Miss Bates always bragged about the skills Jane had learned, and she never took it seriously.

In front of this Jane who is busy in the kitchen and does things very well, Emma has completely changed her original view. In her impression, Jane is a pale and sickly-looking delicate girl. Before today, Emma had never thought of Jane. Can make a meal.

Lydia was also shocked.

Most of Lydia’s friends are young ladies from the same family background as Amedeo’s family. Like her, they don’t touch water, not to mention cooking a meal. Some friends can’t even make tea. This time it’s her It was the first time I saw a young girl busy in the kitchen.

Lydia seemed to understand why Lance liked her.

But the more I thought about it, the more I felt it was a pity. Lydia secretly sighed. It would be great if Jane Fairfax’s family was better. However, thinking about it again, if her family was better, she wouldn’t do these things. up.

She would rather Jane, who has a gentle personality, be with her younger brother than Miss Kingsley, who is arrogant and indulgent and annoying.

Lance and Knightley's laughter came from the living room, and Lydia had a headache and pressed her temples.

Just last week, the Kingsley family suddenly proposed marriage. When Lance went to Manchester, his mother agreed behind his back. At that time, Lydia felt that something would happen. Sure enough, when Lance came back, his mother happily told him , Earl Kingsley offered to get married as soon as possible, she had already agreed, and the earl also asked Lance to visit his manor.

Lance's face was dark at the time, but he didn't lose his temper because of his mother's health. He returned with an investigation report the next day.After Earl Kingsley went bankrupt, not only did he not quit gambling, but he also borrowed usury to continue gambling. All the valuables at home were sold out, his favorite horse was not kept, and he owed a lot of debts. His future son-in-law fills in the hole for him.

Mrs. Amedeo naturally understood. She also found someone to investigate the financial situation of Kingsley's family. The information she got was completely different from Lance's. She thought it was because Lance deliberately opposed her and did not want to marry Miss Kingsley. made a false report.

Thinking of the fierce quarrel between Lance and his mother last week, Lydia felt her head hurt again.

The chicken and potatoes in the pot are cooked. Wei Lai put a piece of lettuce on the bread first, and then put the potatoes on top. The top layer is chicken, bacon pieces and peas are placed aside. There is no salad dressing. Sprinkle with some salt and pepper.The Western food that Wei Lai has cooked most often is fried steak. She came up with this dish on the spur of the moment, and she was still a little nervous, wondering if it was delicious.

However, as soon as the plate was placed on the table, it received a lot of praise. After eating, everyone looked at her differently, with some faint admiration.

Wei Lai didn't show it on the face, but she was happy and proud in her heart. She came from a big foodie country!

After a simple lunch, Emma's last bit of jealousy towards Jane disappeared. She thought she would make a fool of herself in front of the Amedeo siblings today, but Jane helped her save face. The Mideo siblings ate very happily. Lance Amedeo not only ate up the food on his plate, but also wanted to add it again. If there is any deficiency, it is probably that she did not prepare enough ingredients Bar.

Emma didn't hesitate to praise Wei Lai's craftsmanship.Everyone had a great time eating, except that Frank remained expressionless and didn't even say a word of praise. Emma thought his behavior was inappropriate, but couldn't find the right time to remind him.

After dinner and a little chat, Mr. Knightley suggested a walk.

"It's boring for us to sit here. Anyway, we will go back at night. When I came here, I took a closer look. The ice on the lake is very thin, and it should be able to break open. I remember that there are many fish in this lake. I specially brought it. Two fishing rods, let's go fishing."

Wei Lai was the first to agree.If you don't find something to do, I don't know what kind of moth Frank will play.

Emma's heart was moved, but she hesitated considering the cold weather.

Wei Lai persuaded her: "Since we are all out, don't think so much. If we are afraid of the cold, we don't have to run all the way here. Now that we are here, we must have fun and have fun. , and we are wearing thick clothes, and we have just eaten lunch, so we have enough energy, so we don’t have to worry about catching a cold.”

Emma was persuaded, but she still said: "If my father heard you, he would say, 'You young people, don't act on your health'."

One sentence made everyone laugh.

Mr. Knightley fetched the fishing-rod from the wagon, and the leftover breadcrumbs for bait, which he gave to Lance, and then went off to the back hill to find rough wood for breaking the ice, he said.

The Knightley brothers both love fishing, but Lance doesn't like it. These two fishing rods are probably Knightley's treasures, and he dare not play with them casually.

Seeing Lance's embarrassment, Wei Lai waved to him, "Give me a try." Her grandfather is a fishing enthusiast. Although she has no interest in fishing, she has learned it from childhood. At least she can hang bait.

Mr. Knightley came back with the rough wood, and saw Emma and the others gathered together, Jane and Lance squatting on the ground, apparently hanging bait, Knightley was a little surprised, he didn't expect Jane to do this.

Wei Lai rolled the bread crumbs into four or five small balls, and was about to hang them on the fishhook, when Lance stretched out his hand: "Give it to me, Miss Fairfax, I know how to hang it." , the hook is too sharp, don't hurt your hand."

The ice on the lake was very thin, and Knightley broke the ice with a little force. Hearing what Lance said, he turned around and laughed at him: "I gave you the fishing rod, and you pushed it to Fairfax." Miss Si, it seems that when we went fishing at the beach that year, you forgot all the fishing knowledge your father taught you."

The bread crumbs eventually fell apart. Lance just hung up one and it fell apart. Wei Lai picked it up and squeezed it tightly. It turned into a mess.

"Sorry, Miss Fairfax, it seems that I really have no talent in fishing." Lance stood up, turned his head and said to Knightley, "I have not inherited my father's talent for fishing at all. After going fishing at the seaside, I will go there once a year after that, but I haven’t learned a thing, my father is very disappointed in me, but you, you can understand a little bit.”

Lance and his father were very close. When the old Mr. Amedeo passed away, Lance was hit hard. Knightley felt that he shouldn't mention the old Amedeo, and blamed himself for saying the wrong thing. Comfort Lance: "But you inherited your father's newspaper. I heard from John that the sales of "Daily Morning Post" are getting better and better."

Lance originally planned to stay in Highbury for a few more days, and invited the Bates family to Donwell to find a time to be alone with Jane before confessing to Jane. However, the plan could not keep up with the change. He did not expect Knightley to be so Speak up.

Lance glanced back at Jane. She lowered her head and was hanging the bait seriously, as if she didn't hear Knightley's words. However, she didn't hang it after several times in a row.

"Miss Fairfax, let me hang up." Lance held out his hand.

Wei Lai paused, her ears were buzzing, her heart was pounding, her throat was tight, and her face flushed instantly. She took a few deep breaths and looked up at him. But she handed Lance the fishing rod anyway.

She is in a complicated mood and needs to calm down.

No wonder he would bring the topic to Jonas Mayer, and tell her that a friend works at the "Daily Morning Post". Isn't this my friend or me?

She suddenly felt amused.

I wonder when Lance knew that she belonged to Jonas Mayer?How did you know?

She was dizzy at the moment and couldn't think of any clues.

Lance helped Knightley set up two fishing rods. Seeing Wei Lai standing by the lake in a daze, he walked over and called her: "Miss Fairfax, Lydia and Miss Woodhouse are going to go to the back mountain Let's go, don't you go together?"

For a short while, Wei Lai was still a little embarrassed when he saw him: "I have been to the back mountain, the scenery by the lake is very beautiful, I want to stand here for a while."

Lance looked calm, but his heart was very disturbed. He didn't know what the person in front of him was thinking. He wanted to say a few words to her, but he also took into account that there were other people around him. When Emma and Harriet went to the back hill, no one noticed, so they lowered their voice and asked her: "Is the next article going to write about this party?"