From Emma Darwin to G. H. Darwin [2 May 1883]

My dear George

We are in most charming lodgings with such a flavour of the country about them, so quiet, & children playing in the street. The railway is not the least annoyance, at least to the front of the house where I sleep. I was not very well & did not go out yesterday— Bessy has begun w. spirits going to the play the 2 nights once with R. to the Rivals & last night w. Olga Kilian to the Silver King, which was very exciting. Bernard was perfectly happy with Ralph, & they had a pistol each & were rushing down the bank as 2 young Lieutenants   I have some hopes he will like the thoughts of a visit another time. I consider Margaret a perfect mother, & she did not feed up the children so anxiously this time.

It is really provoking to see At C. so oppressed w. household worries—water pipes & a sick turkey; but the daughters say that they think she cannot entirely give them up, & that she might miss the occupation. She was very tired every night   Laura writes from Paris where she rested from Sat. to Wed— I am afraid the journey was bad enough. She had put herself into Cook's hands, who promises to get her the coupé lit or whatever it is, & undertake her altogether. She will prob. be at Clapham tomorrow, & we shall go & see her—

No news of Leo yet—

M^rs Ogle called yesterday— She is always pleasant— I should think you would soon find out whether y^r 5 patients, as Frank calls them, really understand you   I hope you are able to assume a cool & gorgeous manner, as he boasts of doing. I am going to see At Fanny this mg—

Please pass this on to Frank & 66— but it is not necessary for them carefully to return it to me as they did the last

yours my dear G | E.,