From Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin [late June 1878]

My dear William

It will be very nice to see you on Sat & you shall be met— I am rather afraid of Sara in the kindness & scruple of her nature being hampered by Bessy's offer; but she must not, as it is v. possible that for the last week at home, it may be more wholesome for her to have nobody on her mind—& Bessy did not the least give up her visit to Wales at this time on that acct—& I don't feel sure that it may not be put on again.

Honestly B. will be q. satisfied either way—

I am v glad about Mrs Cutting— We had Ernest on Sunday v. pleasant, & Horace quite well, so we were v. comf. also Marg^t Shaen who is perf. happy to undertake Bernard for any length of time. At F. makes q. a cheerful element in the house, always appearing comf. & ready to talk & enjoying her outings in the Bath Chair, w. consist of being wheeled into the Stony field or else where & sitting. What a lovely change in the weather. It was not before the wheat was m. sprouted in these parts. G. is pretty well & Sat an hour! w. Lady L—yesterday waiting for Sir John's return & then an hour w. him!! Also Horace went on his bicycle to High Elms to talk about Erith for young Norman, Lady L. assuring him that ""Norman was such a stupid boy"" There is such a quantity to read in the 19^th & Fortnightly  No more at present.

yours my 2 dear ones

This was written before Sara's to B. came, so it may go

I hope we may now keep W^m for Sunday night. Bessy will enjoy her 3 days of. Sara (& 1QQQQ of you)—& she is not at all tired by a journey—

yours E .D