From Emma Darwin to G. H. Darwin 25 January [1884]

My dear George

I hope you are by this time safe in Tunis after a tolerable passage. Our 10 days of calm, pleasant weather ended in a furious storm on Wed night wh. however blew down none of our trees— Poor M^rs V. Lushington died on Tuesday mg— Vernon sent for Hen. to see him the same morning & she found him bearing his sorrow in a patient & simple way, the poor girls crying bitterly, but the 2^nd, Margaret, already taking care & looking after the others. They will be terribly desolate, she mixed in all the little & great things of life. I don't know a loss that w^d have changed Hen's daily life so much— M^rs L. was so constantly concerned in all her affairs & so sympathetic, besides her brightness & gaitey— The poor girls hardly saw her thro' all the illness as they were husbanding every spark of strength. They were very fond of Hen before this & I expect that they will cling to her more now. We have Isabel Akers with us—& I like her so much— Her talk is all about people, but she is so thoroughly nice & unselfish   She enquired partic about you. M^rs M'Lennan is busy altering her garden wh. keeps her out almost all day, & is so good for her— Ellen has been going to balls & enjoying them. We had a pleasant dinner party yesterday   M^r Ward (who is engaged to Miss Martin, but as they are both very sick & very poor I am afraid it is r an anxious look out) He is agreeable—Huddlestones M^r Vines (who is also v. unwell) young Pryor, a pleasant boy—

Isabel was charmed w. Ellen, who looked pleasant & pretty in a smart gown. They had a good deal of talk together. Bernard has a habit of scribbling on the China inkstand, so I told him he must pay me 1/2^d every time. Yesterday Pauline came to Frank in gt dismay as B. had taken all his money & buried it in this garden. She seemed to think it wicked & dangerous— however today he is to dig it up, as F^r told him this plan w^d not save him from paying his 1/2^d if he had to do it— W^m finds you may all have a division of £380 wh. comes in well for Fr & Horace— he is but poorly & did not find Brighton suit him— He & Ida walked to Goldstone bottom & the Bakers were delighted to see them & gave them the same rich cake as of old—

W^m Feaver goes on well & evidently thinks it an honour to be taught by M^r Dew, who only finds fault w. him for fastening his shirt collar w. a brass bracer button. I meant to tell W. of this defect but I c^d not see the offending button

yours my dear G—

I hope you are tol. E D