From Emma Darwin to G. H. Darwin 5 April [1884]

My dear George

This is only a line to tell you that D^r Bumsteads house, next door to the Parkinsons is believed to be vacant & M^r Foster is making enquiries; but it will be delightful if you get the Eaden house for a year even— It is nice to think how soon we shall see you—

I have two wicked stylos & I am reduced to a pencil wh. is m. helped by being dipped in water. I hope the Horace party will have had time to look you up at the Chatham. I fully believe the change & tour will set up Horace— Rasimovic & Ruth are out nearly all day; Ras. can never get enough of Bernard tho he is very good to him. I am so glad to see poor Rose happy & in spirits again; & I really hope Hermann will turn up from Germany today— When I am with her I feel the same entire confidence in the rectitude & goodness of her mind that I always have done, tho' I don't at all defend everything she has done (in the Opera troubles)

The Protheros dine w. us today   M^rs Jackson brough her nice children to tea & primroses the other day— She looked fearfully ill. She had been unwell but not seriously so—but I fear from her looks some serious mischief   Ellen is very tired of her chaperonage of Miss Martin & Fr is v. tired of her absence. She will come home next week   It is so odd about Sir T. F (such a civil man) that c^d almost think the letter had not reached him—

yours my dear G. I long to see you

yours | E. Darwin