From Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin [8? October 1886]

Hen. carried me off here a day before my time, wh. is a good plan as so many inevitable worries, poor people, bills &c come on the last day.

I left the baby w. an easy mind— I wish Ellen w^d follow D^r Moore's advice of not weighing her—

Yesterday we loafed about & saw the children & Emily & Clement in the evening— Emily has excited the ridicule of Claud & Noel by her excessive care of Frank; but I think she has tact enough to know whether he likes it.

I was glad to hear a nice account of Bernard as a visitor both at the Georges & the Orchard, except in the way of talking of which he gives rather too much— Ida said he was partic. nice w. her children, joining in their plays & not being overbearing— Frank returns to Ellen today, & if he has to leave her for more than a day or two I am sure she ought to have a companion, as she will get morbidly anxious about the baby— She has got other however— The Clements are very m. vexed about the danger (as they think) of Cecil falling in love w. the governess Miss Gibson— She is very nice herself, but her relations are trades people in Cork, & above all her mother is insane— & one can't say any thing too severe of Hope's folly in making such a marriage possible—

I am afraid Godfrey is likely enough to find it past praying for when he comes home—

However Miss G. is safe at Abinger now—

The Hookers come to us tomorrow & I am very glad we shall have the Litches till Monday—

Hen. is v. m. plagued by her throat not exactly in the way you are, but by the tonsils or the uvulla swelling so much as to be v. uncomf. She means to consult y^r D^r Mackenzie

Please tell Sara how glad I am of the good account of M^rs Arthur & above all that her brother is safe at home again—

Horace was so glad to meet you at Down— He retains very much of his old boyish adoration of you— The garden is r. gay w. ugly things such as g^t yellow autumn flowers wh. I don't care for—

yours my dear W— | E. D—

Bessy will sign your paper— & send it to the Bank