From Emma Darwin to G. H. Darwin [11 October 1881]

My dear George

I believe I have been idle to you also—business first— I hope to go & do my affairs at No 6 tomorrow & the Litches come home on or about the 19^th. It is most wearisome work to go on drudging at what you find tiresome.

We had Ernest & Arthur on Sat & Sunday as well as A^t Fanny & U. Hensleigh, who are very comfortable & pleasant & A^t F. sat out of doors for 2 h^rs yesterday w. no bonnet on— She had her fur cloak— Ernest was very entertaining. He told us that the Go^vt. was sure to be firm about the Transvaal. At F. & I have been hard at our Gladstone & his vigour is wonderful— I admired his fiery philippic against Parnell the most of his many speeches. I hope we may see Miss G. next week at Cam. & hear about it— We had also a v. pleasant American D^r Billings to luncheon on Sunday— He had a flavour of Tom Appleton about him, & was very amusing as well as a clever man. F. is m pleased at the worms selling so well (they are printing more) & at the good article in the Times. Poor Dubs had a disappt last week. Frank was on the point of setting out w. him to Aberdovey when a tel. came from M^rs Ruck to say that scarlet fever had appeared— so Fr had to tell him he was going without him— There was a g^t burst of grief at first & then, he screwed himself up & exaggerated his own interest in W^ms pictures & did not give way again, & now v. oddly he does not want to go to Wales— (however he thinks F^r will not be long away.

The land is as good as settled & Leo marked out the court. I long to begin. Hen's solemn advice to the family is to keep me well in hand (about cutting down— I advise you to read Lord Campbell's Life it is v. pleasant

my love to the other house | E. D