From Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin [winter 1877–8]

My dear William

Will you please write to Amy at Barlaston to tell her which station at Southampton Lilly must take her ticket for. She leaves London by the 3.15 on Friday & I have promised that you will send to meet her & I suppose take her to Basset for an hour or two before putting her on board (which Mrs Cutting wd do just as well as you)—

You are by yourself for a day or 2 longer. I was so glad to hear from Hen. that the interview w. D^r C. quite satisfactory, & that he approves so heartily of her way of life—all except too much scrattle.

I did so enjoy my comfortable sight of her all to myself & felt that the rest was good for her also. I used to sit w. her for a $\frac{3}{4}$ of an hr or so every p.m. & our being so small a party was nice too— It is wonderful how she animates Father & sets him talking. I longed to believe Mr Sellar's story about Dizzy but I am afraid I can't because who c^d have heard it. I am afraid the Conservatives will not care whether Lord Salisbury tells lies or not (unless he does it badly)—

Where does that quotation from Molière come from— It is so wonderfully terse as well as suitable to Aralarala as Bernard calls him. B. had a delightful exped to Cudham on Sunday carried alternately by Dadda & Mim & Boo & Lenny & having to be put down to break the ice whenever they came to a frozen puddle— Poor Skimp I think was less uncomf—tho' he looks very unwell, & I hope he will be able to get the Balfour job off his mind— I think Andrew's definite orders are a comfort to him (and a good deal of blue pill)—

yours my dear old man | E.D—