From Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin [26 April 1883 or 1886]

My dear William

We shall miss you sadly at our family meeting on the 4^th at Cam. (I never had any hope of Sara)— A letter from Leo. from Cairo says they will be at Cam. on that day & we shall just be got into our house in S^t Peters Terrace

We are very comfortable here, except for the cold & the imposs. of having a good fire. At C. is not well, or in her usual good spirits, but likes a great deal of talking. She is gone for a drive this very windy day, to the station. Margaret & Sophy are a little troubled at her incessant worries about household matters, (now it is the pipes, which are always a mystery to me)—

I thought perhaps the interest & occupation w^d more than compensate for the worry, but they think she pays too dear.

Bernard is very happy here tho' we had a very bad scene in bringing or rather dragging him away from Frank—

Harvey is v. good natured & Ralph m. interested & also agreeably ignorant about heraldry— Maggy has strained her back in some odd way— George had only 4 pupils & he doubts whether he shall keep those—- No M. As which he does not regret, as he says they w^d not be permanent— He finds like Frank that he will have to lower his standard of supposed knowledgee of his pupils— I don't think he is very flat^rd. How tiresome the Aff. bill is & I don't feel sure of its passing— What a strong feeling it has aroused—

I am very glad you will find something for poor Evelyn to do— He will I hope marry early in life— I wonder whether you will be much more tied to the bank by the death of M^r Atherley.

I hope you will get your little tour— The Litches found Normandy very cold in spring (April I think)

Yours my 2 dear ones | E D

Leo's letter is finding its way to you— He is not charmed w. Cairo & feels as if he was "awfully used" to the Pyramids—