From Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin [14 October 1889]

My dear William

What weather! I am so glad for the Leonards & I hope they will get to Rouen. Thank Leo. for his letter. I got as far as the Grange yesterday. The drawing room is now one of the prettiest I ever saw— I gave Maud one of the bitterest sneers I c^d concoct about muslin curtain, & I found she actually did not mean to shut out the very pretty view from the new bow. [DIAG HERE]

George looks very haggard after his sharp feverish attack but is recovering well.

Maud looks v much done up— I hope Lily will be able to spare us a day or 2—

Bessy goes on Thursday to stay till Monday w. the Lushingtons & has asked her to come on Monday— Frank & Ellen went on Sat. to High Elms & came away the next day—

They think it the best way of spending the Sunday out— They did not meet the Forrests; but a brother a M^r Lane Fox & his wife— not the Buddhist but a harmless man & a pretty wife. The visit was pleasant & easy— Lady L— & young Johnny spend their whole time in chaff either rough or otherwise. She is like a spoilt child & has no manners & that shews. No conversation is possible. Richard left Hen here on Monday, & was to cross to Ireland that night— Albert Dicey sent him a list of questions to observe; of which he will not be able to do any thing, as they related to the ??. of. I. & I am sure his soft nephew in the Constabulary will not be able to tell him any thing.

They live at Queenstown—

Horace & Ida returned yesterday from a pleasant few days at Abinger— The children are staying w. us, as the Orchard is upside down— Hen. keeps v. weak & poorly, which is a g^t disappt after being so well at Kreuznach— I am v. brisk all but my scratched heel, wh. does not get q. well— M^r [Ca] looks after it, & says I must not treat it like nothing at all—

My best love to Sara— yours my dear W^m | E. D–