From Emma Darwin to H. E. Darwin [13 August 1864]

My dear Hen—

Papa mended yesterday & sat out & we were very snug with G. to come & read to us. Horace sticks to him as much as to W^m—

Papa found out the great error in his accounts & also that we are not spending much more, if any more, than for the last 3 years. All the garden & walk is being cleared up & Papa's remonstrance has had great effect.

Parslow went with Billy in the cart to fetch the Linseed & he behaved perfectly but I don't expect it to last. After tea I took a nice walk with the boys across the valley & home by Petleys. The red corn looked so pretty in the twilight. We find 50 ft of water in the well so the village may come ad. lib. Bobby went off in the tax cart with Horace this morning looking so prim as if he was performing a sacred duty.

The receipt from Buchanan was a week in John's pocket. I am paying Cremes by order today. I have written to Louisa Ludwig to say that later will suit us better than earlier I am afraid my 9£ for the sewing machine will have gone into the vortex with Caroline Ludwig's illness instead of buying the machine.

Herr Haëckel has sent a photo' of his wife & a very pretty character of her, she used to call him her Darwin–Mann. They were only married 1 1/2 yrs. I hope you are both well & happy my dear bodies.

E. D.