From Emma Darwin to Sara Darwin [13 January 1881]

My dear Sara

I cannot tell you how happy your dear affectionate letter made us both. I have always felt that it wd be an effort for any daughter-in-law who loved her own parents to give the same name so different a connection; but we do not want that to be sure of your love for us. Sometimes I gave up paying you my usual visit in yr rooms, as when we were so very small & confidential a party we had the same sort of opportunity for talk at 5 o'clock, & you were all the better for a longer rest. I am glad Lily does not regret the French rolls (see Northanger Abbey) too much.

To day came Leslie Stephens’ award w. will be sent to you in due course. It is decidedly to do nothing; which I think will please some of you very much & satisfy every one but old steady Leo.

F. is quite satisfied. Huxley alluded to the matter in rather a poor joke as “the Butler spilling some more dirty water out of his pantry.” Poor old Leo is laid up for a week at No 6. To lie still in his bed, take no wine &c He is still r feverish & D^r Moore comes to him every day. Hen. found him reading comf. in his bed & quite equal to a short visit. I had forgotten till Hen. reminded me that R. had the same sort of complaint the year before his great illness, & had to take care to avoid all exertion for some time. D^r M. thinks that Leo will soon be

I have been out twice w. my respirator all right; but I am afraid it will put an end to his using his beautiful horse for ever so long. As soon as he can move I hope he will come here. On Tuesday Mr Ward drove over Canterbury (he had been on trial) & with many hums & has said he shd like to give 47.10 for him instead of 50 g’s to which F. agreed—(give an inch & take an ell) So yesterday he sent back the saddle & bridle—saying he had retained the horse—cloth worth about 30/ or 40/ as that was not unusual & at the same keeping back the collar & another rein without mentioning them— So F’s back is up & he has written to claim them all— We had a funny scene w. B. at his dinner yesterday objecting to eating his roasted apple till the skins were put on another plate & then find in a subtler [illeg] that quite satisfied him by moving the skins to another part of the plate—

yours my 2 dear ones— ED—