From Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin [26 May 1861?]

My dear Willy

I came here yesterday by myself, having sent Georgy Franky & Lenny on the Thursday before, as Franky was not so well again & so we wanted to try a change. I came in Aunt Sarah's new carriage to Edenbridge & found Uncle Langtons grand carriage waiting for me & poor Snow looking very subdued in his box, which is so large Henry could not take it in the carriage so he had to take him on in his chain & collar. The boys were so busy playing with a tub at the pond, they could not find time to come up after me, so I went after them & all the party came up to tea here & we read the little Duke. Lenny is much admired & his Uncle Charles seems very fond of him.

Papa was in London from Wed. to Sat & very brisk & well, I had to come away without seeing him on Sat.

Goodbye my dear old man. | I must go to church | yours E. D