From Emma Darwin to G. H. Darwin 21 July [1890]

My dear George

At last we have had 2 days together without rain & we seem likely to have one more— I long for the dismal brown grass to be cut & got rid of— I shall be quite willing to lower the rent if it turns out as bad as it looks— Stony field is still uncut & it seems, like our own field, to make us feel confined.

Hen. leaves us today & Laura tomorrow. They are both at their best & I wish one of them could have stayed over tomorrow & help us w. the Hookers. I did think of asking the H. Bonham Carters to dinner on one of the days; but they are not suitable & Lady H. will not want any one & Sir J. will be happy w. novels & I hope ripe gooseberries.

I am afraid Frank is a good deal uneasy about Ellen & as he is so reserved esp. when out of spirits, I dare say he has not told you of the report of D^r Moore & M^r Hills. The machinery of her heart is not wrong; but it has got into a habit of wrong action. She is to keep entirely in bed for a week & after that to stay habitually in bed till 12 o'clock— Fr says she does not dislike bed & that she is cheerful— I wish she played patience. I am very glad you have such a good class. Do they ask questions when they don't understand? I long to see little EMD (or M. ED²) again. I am so glad she is thriving. Bessy returned from Malvern on Sat. Margaret Shaen was animated & cheerful for the 1^st 3 days & they took long drives— she fell back for the last days— She can talk a great deal, but cannot read or be read to. B. took a long walk w. Leo the last day over the lovely Malvern Wells hills— She c^d not judge about Bee— I will talk to Sir J about the Index–- I think some of you should settle how much to give— I will tell him so—

Such high praise of Albert D's new book "The Verdict". Elinor was v. low about it as Cassell had delayed the pub. so long every one must be tired of the subject. I mean to buy it & I believe read it. Hensleigh has at last made the move to Abinger w. no fatigue, & so m. exhilirated by it that Effie finds it difficult to prevent him doing too much— Arthur Juke came on Sat to consult w. R— about his future prospects— wicked old Juke (who however is not old at all more's the pity) concealed from him R's offer of keeping him longer at school where he was doing well, but removed him to an Architect's office, because it is genteel— It turns out hopeless in his opinion. He is a tidy youth & we played foursome Halma— He has no Jukeishness in him— We feel quite ashamed of the climate for Maud's people so does William for the Nortons.

My best love to Maud—& tell Gwenny she will find a little green hill up to the [illeg] when she comes & they are good to climb

yours dear G | E D