From Francis Darwin to H. E. Darwin [14 April 1870]

My dear Retta

As I am from home, this letter will not be subjected to the obnoxious () of my cruel () so I can pour out my young soul, unfettered. The young things are babbling so that I can't get a start () Lucy & Amy Ruck, I think Lucy is a very nice girl she isn't clever but very clear headed, Amy is nice but she like a field mouse in a pretty dress, I don't think (H) seems to adore her so much I'm afraid flirting with Suffolk young ladies, as corrupted him. Lucy played somethings this afternoon, some light little things, by () Gade & Kullak, the effect was rather like Polyphemous trying to make an omelette for Galatea. I know scurrilous ear likes scandal, so I will try & distill some more after tea. We had a jabbering call call from the Cecils this afternoon, mother the () jibberee, Lizzie & Lady M () in the () of shyness, I ever I () babbled on to my Lordling, little Lady Margaret said noting to nobody bu () us all with little black eyes. On sat we had little Powell to dinner, we played an idiotic game called "Muggins" which required a small amount of brain, & we Mugginsed the poor little man till he did not quite like it. At one time there was a contest between Mother & him they were the only two left & the struggle between them not to Muggins would have taken forever, but they couldn't bear it & shared it between them. I went to hear the Passion Music the other day, I think it () in pretty well, & another time I should enjoy it. I have got this loathsome Bromley Ball hanging over me, its so horrid going to a ball in ones native sand & feeling an outcast, & having Amy Crofton & having nobody to introduce but lout Edward & brigand (Frederick) Norman, & a few Lubbocks, with a Jockey engineer thrown in. I only hope Herbert N & Sutherland will there, I am going to stop with Crowley on the 21^st I think he has 6 unmarried sisters poor creature; he is such an angelic man, when we were all talking about skating, he said in patient sort of way—I didnt get much skating so I asked him why afterwards & it appeared he was teaching a little sister to skate all the time—which I think is the height of virtue—I dont think (H) will jerk you much of an epistle so you must make this one do. It seems to me I haven't seen you for a thousand years—

Goodbye dear old Retta () Your affec () Frank Darwin