From Emma Darwin to H. E. Darwin [18 February 1865]

My dear Hen.

Geo. is a very pleasant letter on the contrary. I am afraid your visit will be rather a failure; & I regret it because every thing w^d have been pleasant if you had gone after F. F.'s departure. I feel quite affronted about the riding & think both the C's quite uncivil as well as selfish in the matter Poor Godfrey I am afraid he is having quite a relapse.

Uncle Hensleigh is quite for the Wells house, but he does not believe in the dream at all.

It was a great blow Effie not coming. I sincerely hope A^t Susan will not put you off. The weather is dismal too. Papa is in bed today but he does not mind the company being here much & that only in the point of view of my not seeing much of them, as they are a snug party together & I do see something of them. He has done work every m^g but today & got poorly in the evening. I am glad W^m does not come today as it would have been a waste.

Yesterday afternoon was rather pleasant but a sharp frost again last night.

Nelly just the same so I donot believe she will recover.

Yours my dear | E. E.

H. went to M^r Reed's Harry sends Major K's letter which is very sensible & nice & he says they are both in very good spirits. She sees any colour better than red & that is what he expected & he rejoices in the continued pain in her foot.

A^t F. reads & swears at Prescott's life in a comical way. It does seem very diffuse.

About Tom. Parslow says that what with cutting wood & drawing water James has not done any out doors work for months, but if we were any time quite alone I should like him to do odds & ends in the flower garden. No cleaning of chicken house.

Horace's lessons are in a bad way. There always seems a reaction after a London visit.

Goodbye my dear | E. D.

Find out whether the girls are positively coming home at Easter Ask. Uncle Frank when he can come & see us to let us know. But I think

Goodbye—

You had better say nothing at present I will write nearer Easter.

I find A^t Susan came to London to consult Startin so I thought it necessary to write & tell her not to hasten her return on your acc't so you may possibly have a put off for a day or 2. but I don't expect it.