From Emma Darwin to G. H. Darwin 27 January [1890]

My dear George

I thought of you last night close on the sea, when I felt as if in a ship, there were so many violent rattles & constant noises as if breaking on the windows— I kept thinking whether the opposite elm trees w^d not come crashing on the house, & I will have the distance measured this very day. I hate a storm. On the calm days, it will be benefit for the children to be close on the shore at Marine Parade.

I am sure the visit was not a bit too long by what W^m said, & they got to know Maud well, wh. they had never got so good an opp. of doing before. Ida has been having lunch w. M^rs Piper at the Protheros, in her own person— She is very pretty & engaging when not D^r B. I think M^r Piper had better have come w. her or she had better have continued her exp. in America— She had not the least knowledge of Ida & made 18 wrong guesses at her Xtian name, & had never heard the name of Darwin wh. Horace says was acting too well— M^rs Sidgwick wanted Ida to have a séance but she declined. Bernard has had an additional week & goes next Thursday— I wonder when you began to like reading— Bernard used to read a little, but now he is too lazy, except to finish some thing we have begun to read aloud— On Sat. he had a performance of Charades & tableaux at the Orchard. He was quite satisfied, wh. shews how young he is—as of course their acting was only being dressed up & sitting or standing according to his orders—but they are v. obedient. Boofy perfectly grave & stolid all the time— Hen is quite well but weak— She has been well off— M^r Hills had 20 patients in influenza last week, & none the week before—

My best love to Maud. yours my dear G— E. D—

Horace occupies himself a little & has interviews w. M^r Pye— He always looks cheerful & bright & v. diff^t from his last recovery—

Just got Maud's I am glad you are out of the wind— You must have been in despair at y^r temp. I sh^d like to see Boy in a tantarum—