From H. E. Darwin to W. E. Darwin [February 1864?]

My dear William

Poor Mama is bad today so I takes up my pen to give a more detailed account of the world. It is 5 nights since Papa has had sickness now & his days have been much better too. He has walked as far as the hothouse twice. He also reads more to himself. & I think he is getting to be able to sit up more. They are rather in a peck of troubles about which D^r to have. D^r Gully has sent to D^r Jenner, but Spengle strongly recommends a D^r Brinton. so they don't well know what to do. Skimp is not very well, but of course he gets on much better at home with his beloved Tom to go to. By the way we aren't out of stable troubles. Billy has taken to lie down when put in the carriage, & so we shall have to get another horse & ten to one we shan't get a ridable beast. George was greatly pleased at y^r commendation of his letters. The poor [illeg] has been horridly [stricted] in his billiards. Lenny & self being his only resource. Frank is in an awfully tootly state. I am sorry for the school for he tootles for an hour every night after they go to bed wh. must be pleasant. Aunt Eliz & Jo will be at home in a few days. I wonder if they will go down & pay their respects to the happy couple or leave them to the enjoyment of their own society. Major Kempson is coming home so I suppose there will be another in the family.

Ever your | H.E.D.

Mama has got a cold we think.