From Emma Darwin to G. H. Darwin 14 March 1886

My dear George

No doubt you will have heard from Maud from Queenstown; but good news cannot be too often repeated & we were rejoiced at her comf act written on Thursday— Helen was keeping up her credit & Gwen only cross a little w her gums—& Maud herself feeling all the better. I felt very dismal starting her off on Wed—tho' she has good nerves, but the bustle of the last few days had been rather too much for her. I missed her little visits with Gwen, whose face is full of changes like clouds passing over & ending in a smile— Bessy was away for 2 days in London & Maud looked after me constantly & in the most affectionate manner—

She has a gracious nature as well as a most affectionate one & I think you are a lucky man— I was amused to hear of a conversation between them all when I thought Maud so m. the best of it. Ellen was saying she did not think you were the fonder of people because they were your brothers & sisters—& Maud was astounded at the doctrine (& I think it is a defect in Ellen's nature) & took the other side warmly— Poor little Ella writes cheerfully but it is a dismal look out, & I don't see what she is to gain by a few month sketching & lecturing— The Gosses are most cordial, & what with the Litches & Leonards I hope she will not feel very desolate.

Our weather keeps one day exactly like another sharp E. wind & frost— My appetite keeps very bad, wh. pulls me back altogether. I get up for a few hours every day—

It is quite odd how dispiriting it is & dislike all one's food—or almost all for I like milk.

yours my dear G. | E. Darwin