Mr. Woodhouse: sunk - The poor man's been a mess from the beginning (bless his heart) I've never held his character in much esteem and I doubt I'll ever cut him any slack. We're probably near the same age but I hope someone will put me out of my misery if I ever begin to resemble him!

Frank Churchill: Sinking slightly - Flaky behavior in riding all the way to London for a mere haircut in spite of it causing no small inconvenience. And his vacillating correspondence - (He's coming, not he's not, he's coming, not he's not) I suspect some of this behavior is brought on by Mrs. Churchill.

The Westons: Sinking slightly - Poor Mr. Weston cannot talk about anything else but his son. That is about as tiring as listening to Miss Bate's letters from Jane Fairfax and Mrs. Elton's "Barouche Landau" homilies. (groan) Also, Mr. and Mrs. Weston are conniving to somehow make Emma and Frank into a match. (I suppose not at all bad but a little s-n-e-a-k-y)

There, now ducking behind the nearest potted plant.......