So much of what we see Emma do springs from boredom. Oh the first chapters' description of evenings at Hartfield! I would be beyond bored.

"She knew that at times she must be missed; and could not think, without pain, of Emma's losing a single pleasure, or suffering an hour's ennui, from the want of her companionableness: but dear Emma was of no feeble character; she was more equal to her situation than most girls would have been, and had sense and energy and spirits that might be hoped would bear her well and happily through its little difficulties and privations."
Ennui to be sure! What a relief I feel for her when Emma gets Harriet to talk to instead of watching her father play quadrille with 3 old ladies. Yet times were different then regarding recreation and pastimes. But still, what a boring life Emma had, marked mostly, I am sure, by meals, going to church and maybe an invitation now and again. Since she doesn't read or study or ride or garden that we are told of it leaves little to do. We don't even hear (or see in the movies) of Emma's sewing or other ladylike entertainments. She paints some and that is about it.
However I did not feel empathy for Emma's finding the 1/2 mile walk to Randalls unpleasant. Really 1/2 mile is so close! If you walked a 20 minute mile it would take 10 minutes to go a half mile- maybe 15. Wah. Elizabeth could go 3 miles alone.