From Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin [c. February 1857]

My dear Willy

I will not write you a very long letter as I have a bad thumb. I am glad you are gone in the debating society & you must tell us when you make a speech. I have been for 2 days in London

Tim had a bad cold & Hope was poorly so I did not take Etty & Georgy. I came home in the omnibus which was very empty.. Today it is snowing & very cold. Jenny was at Chester Terrace & had a tooth out with chloroform which made her very sick & unwell all day. I am practising writing with my left hand, as I must not use my thumb at present. The Hermitage girls & the Chester Terrace Girls are all coming on Saturday & the omnibus will drive up to Chester T. to pick them up. I dare say you will soon get up in your class again. It was lucky Johnny had not such a day as this for the steeple chase. Goodbye my dear old man.

M^r. Lewis has made a sliding board for the children & thy enjoy it very much. They put it on the stairs & I have taken a slide or two & so has Miss Thorley.

your aff. | E. D.