Harriet expresses a fancy for walnuts, Mr Martin unpretentiously goes out and provides walnuts that she can eat. Mr Elton is too rude even to choose a topic of mutual interest to himself and Harriet. Even mentioning the ladies present would have been better than "the Stilton cheese, the north Wiltshire, the butter, the cellery, the beet-root and all the dessert."

Mr Elton makes it his business to be minutely involved in matters (culinary or charitable) that interest wealthy people like Mr Cole or Emma, but is quite satisfied to neglect people like Harriet, and the sick cottager. Turning his back on a visit of duty, on the basis that discussing it with Miss Woodhouse is sufficient for now, also contrasts with the laconic Mr Martin, who picks walnuts in addition to doing his duty to his family and his employment.