From Emma Darwin to G. H. Darwin [18 August 1885]

My dear George

I was very sorry to hear of the poor puppy's death. I sh^d think it was probably licking the paint. We are now looking just as brown as before the rain, & I suppose we ought to be content till the harvest is over— We have got Sara & Leo & Bee— Sara is in her most agreeable mood, & such a difft woman to what she was in the days of Margaret— W^m has been at the Hookers— We have such good accounts of Uncle Harry, that one may consider his recovery as safe— The W^ms & Lily Norton had a very pleasant visit at Abinger, meeting the Cornishes of Eton, she a Miss Ritchie—& the Thompsons of the Pall Mall she a beauty, Miss Dolly Smith (& Elder)   W^m had a good deal of talk w. Mr T. who is not much of a gentleman, but impressed W^m with his sincerity in the question; which perhaps is not surprizing, as W^m approved before of the action of the Pall Mall in the matter but not of the style of doing it— The editions sold in the streets are pirated.

The Litches are at Malvern which I sh^d have thought flat work for Hen. who knows it so well— I rather wonder they don't go to the Hereford side; but H. aims at creature comforts & no trouble, & some lawn Tennis for R— Give my best love to Maud— I hope she keeps tolerably comfortable & that I shall soon hear the best news of her— The Sutherlands declined dining owing to the death of her mother   B. went to play w. the boys yesterday.

yours my dear George w. love to Ella | E D.