From Emma Darwin to H. E. Darwin [9 September 1864]

My dear Hen—

St Paul turned out quite as well as I expected. I am afraid Aunt Susan will be killed. I hope you will come away before the concerts are over. One gets so tired before the end too one can't enjoy. The country is over run with mushrooms & Lizzy Horace & I had a very successful hunt yesterday. The weather has been delightful. Yesterday a very large branch of the mulberry came off with the weight of the fruit we suppose. It is luckily at the back & no blemish.

The Crans. & Miss Carr & little dog called—very friendly & Papa came in. Lord C. bustled them off in a very few minutes.

Lizzy & I drove in the poney carriage to little M^rs Singer & found her & children in a miserable state. She is to have some meat. She burst out a crying in a hysterical way while she was talking pretty cheerfully. That wretched baby has lived & smiles thro' its dirt at one in a wonderful way.

Poor dear Hartfield is sold! I feel it very sad & Cath. does rather too, but I think it is better for them to live in a more sociable place. I will send the letter by & bye—

Here is a nice letter from W^m. Send it to George—

Goodbye my dear. I am going to write to Cath. & Ch. to come. Uncle Ras is so poorly he has given it up. We enjoyed our drive & I mean to go oftener—