I love the picture of Christmas at the Musgroves. Not only are their many children (save Louisa and Henrietta) at home from school, but they have brought the Harville children home with them

"to improve the noise of Uppercross, and lessen that of Lyme." (ch 14)

LOL! JA goes on to describe the "domestic hurricane" of "riotous boys" and "chattering girls" - even the Christmas fire is said to be "roaring." All in all, "It was a fine family-piece."

And dear Mrs Musgrove observed, "with a happy glance round the room, that after all she [Louisa] had gone through, nothing was so likely to do her good as a little quiet cheerfulness at home."

I just love this scene. The noise, the happiness, the high spirits, the good times, the comfort of family in spite of the chaos - it paints such a lovely picture of a home, doesn't it?

It's all too much for the childless Lady Russell, however:

"I hope I shall remember, in future," said Lady Russell, as soon as they were reseated in the carriage, "not to call at Uppercross in the Christmas holidays."