From Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin [c. 27 April 1862]

My dear William

We have had 2 or 3 lovely days & Horace is certainly much better. He was out of doors almost all yesterday. We all enjoyed our play in London & I dined at Cumberland P. Mack joined in the conversation in the evg. but seemed very languid. Alfred is here. I think he is more manly & rather wiser   They are thinking of his starting again in the Alnwick Castle on the 25 May, but I think he will never stand going again so soon.

We were out last night nightingaling till 10.30 & returned to bread & cheese. There was a first rate one in the rookery & we on green hill heard him perfectly. You seem to me to have given up writing as a useless job.

Amy & Cecily are coming here the end of this week & Miss Ludwig & Horace go to Hartfield the same day & cross on the road.

We saw Lord Dundreary & poor Lenny fell sick & had to go out with G. who came back so quick as not to miss much. We were too far off & could not catch the jokes easily. Papa is but bad with his face terribly inflamed

Yours E. D