From Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin [23 November 1860]

My dear William

You have been very ill used about letters but I have been but poorly for a week, sometimes with headaches varied with a sore throat. Etty is tolerable, but not up to what she was before this last attack. She comes down almost every evening to tea but does not get up in the morning. Aunt Susan is coming today & we hope will bring Punch with her. Your sentence about it has been read many times with diff^t meanings. Ch. Parker is come home in the Asia so we expect Aunt Susan will be longing to go home. The house is so untidy I don't know how I shall get it straitened for her.

We have bought a nice innocent Black & tan puppy of M^r Norman rather of the Nipper genus. Mr & Mrs Edwards are staying at M^rs Peters. He looks rather sheepish under his new honours. I think Fred. Lubbock can't expect you to come to drill from Cambridge. G. & F. came home last Sat. Frank is getting on famously in his class. Lenny goes 2 a wk to Hayes & I believe he does better quite on his own foundation without me helping him.

Only think what an affectionate boy Horace is. "When is Willy coming home?' On the 14^th. "Oh that is a month how I wish— I wish—  What do you wish. "I do wish we had a brawn." So I am afraid the brawn was the principal thing.

Goodbye my dear W^m. I am glad you are going to try for the law prize

yours E. D.