Mr Elton and his new wife received many invitations from the people of Highbury. Emma decided that she must ask them to dinner at Hartfield. As only six people were invited to the meal, Mr Woodhouse was quite happy. He enjoyed having dinner with a few friends in his own home. The Eltons, the Westons and Mr Knightley all accepted Emma’s invitation to dinner. Harriet did not want to see the Eltons, so Emma did not invite her to Hartfield. She invited Jane Fairfax. At Christmas, John Knightley had promised to bring his two oldest sons to Hartfield in the spring. The boys would stay with their aunt and grandfather for a few weeks. John Knightley and his young sons came for their visit on the same day as the dinner party. They arrived early in the morning. John planned to stay in Hartfield for the night and return to London early the following day. Mr Woodhouse was very upset when his son-in-law arrived. There were now going to be nine people at dinner, not eight. Mr Woodhouse was uncomfortable in large groups of people. They made him feel unwell. Then Mr Weston sent a message. He had to go to London on business and could not come to dine. There would be only eight people at dinner, after all. Mr Woodhouse was happy again. At four o’clock, all the guests for the dinner party arrived. The Eltons brought Jane with them in their carriage. Mrs Elton looked very elegant in a dress made of lace and a long necklace of pearls64.