From Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin [July 1860]

My dear W^m

We have been expecting you but I suppose it was next Thursday that you meant w^d be the end of the exam. & I was quite glad you did not come for the house was so dull & dismal & the weather so extra abominable that I thought you w^d think it no treat. Now poor Etty is really better & eats a good deal but after lying in bed 7 weeks she will be very weak for some time.

I trust we may move to Hartfield in a fortnight or so. She says she is become very greedy & thinking all day about eating & that is a very good sign. We have had Aunt Eliz who has cheered us very much.

We have sent Jones today to Edenbridge to buying Edmund's mare as we have tried in vain to get a horse here. I hope she will do, at any rate she is not very dear at 28£. Sir John. has 6 boys up at High Elms every day to learn drumming & fifing. This wet spring has been quite dismal & the planted out flowers have looked miserable. Goodbye my dear old man we shall rejoice to see you.

You must set your father to billiards he has quite given them up.