From Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin [2 April 1856]

My dear Willy

I hope you are enjoying this lovely weather

I rode on the donkey yesterday to the big woods & he carried me famously. The other day he galloped across the field with Effie with great spirit. I am going to have him shod. Papa & Effie have had great fun playing at chiefs against [Meta] Gaskill. She generally beat them all to nothing but the last time to their great astonishment they conquered. Effie is the pleasantest girl in the world & we have had great fun. We have settled that they are all to come at Midsummer for a week before we go to Tenby so that you are to come home instead of going strait to Tenby & you will have the family journey that you enjoy so much. Effie enjoys fun & ploughed fields & rollicking just as much as ever.

The ball was dull enough as they had not many partners. Our dinner party of Lubbocks Carters & Kirks went off very well. They used to take walking rides but the pony became so wicked that when once they were off they cd not get on. He kicked & squealed & would not stand still. The rest went home yesterday & Snow & Dotty are going today.

I am glad you like water colours. Miss Gaskell & Snow have been painting primroses which are very difficult but they have done them very nicely.

I don't expect that your leg will quite heal till Tenby which is very tiresome as I suppose you must not play at cricket till it is quite well.

Goodbye my dear old man. Uncle Frank invites you to Barlaston for the whole holiday.

Yours E. D.