From Emma Darwin to G. H. Darwin 7 July [1882]

My dear George

I want to know how you are going on, but I return home on Monday so you must write there—

Laura says "I wonder if they won't manage to get in somehow this autumn, & do their building when summering at Down next year? I do think there is nothing like living in a house to find out how best to improve it, & with the summer at Down in prospect it does seem a pity not to winter in Cambridge at the Grove"—

There are merits in this scheme—but if we find the house full of draughts & discomfort it might be paying too dear for it.

No doubt saving 10 g's or so, a week is worth considering, & even if we have negociated with M^rs Jebb I think she w^d allow us to change our plan without feeling that we were shabby— I think it might settle us against the plan if you looked over the house rather carefully & saw that it was in bad repair. I find poor Ellen very feeble & uncomf. but wonderfully cheerful— She has not once sat in her garden—which is very pretty— I am very comf. here & do a great deal of writing reading, talking & knitting. I have a pleasant dog to take out with me, who enjoys it so much it is good for one's spirits—

A sudden thought, how w^d it be for me to come over & see the house myself? & bring Hen. if possible— I will consider it—

Goodbye my dear old man | yours | E D