From Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin 15 December [1858]

My dear Willy

I am very glad you are getting on so well with your examination. Papa has been looking at the train book & he says you must not set off so soon as *.15 as it will bring you to London so much before the cart can be ready for you, but at 10 min. past 10 & then you will be in town soon after one o'clock & the tax cart will be ready for you.

We were at the Lubbocks ball yesterday but neither Etty nor Georgy enjoyed it much. Etty had such very little boys to dance with that it was no fun. I sent them home by themselves at ten o'clock & they were quite ready to go & Miss Thorley & I staid later. Eton is so surrounded with water that the boys have been quite confined & were sent home sooner as it was not thought wholesome  Norman major was there & I had a little talk with him. The examinations at Eton are only about Greek & Latin & he said he was second I think. He is a very nice mannered boy. I send you some postage stamps & I want you to buy 2 or 3 small paint brushes smaller than what we generally use also a 6^d cake of scarlet or vermillion & of Blue. but if you can't manage with the stamps you need not mind. How have Johnny & Ernest got on with their examination.

Goodbye my dear old man you will soon begin you walks with Papa.

Your affect. mother | E. Darwin