From Emma Darwin to H. E. Darwin [14 April 1867]

Dearest Hen—

I am very glad you are going to stay till Thursday & I dare say it will finish setting you up (how lovely it must be this morning. There is something quite peciliar in the beauty of the lime trees this year & I think it must be the early frosts). I think my plan of coming over may have made you fix to come home on Tuesday or Wed. so I will not obey any orders for those days notwithstanding any thing you man have written, but send to meet you on Thursday as before. I might still if I chose cross you on the road & go to L. H. P. on that day tho' I should be sorry to miss your first news, but I don't believe I shall go at all as Papa had such a very bad attack of rocking & giddiness last night that I sh^d have been very sorry to be away. He is poorly today. If eczema was to appear again I sh^d feel quite easy to leave him. It is quite gone now. Papa begs you will not spoil yr visit by working too hard as you are 2 $\frac{1}{2}$ sheets before him & it will not signify if he does overtake you. I am very glad you get to feel more intimate. It is as well to like one's cousins or even one's Aunt. We will buy Peggy. I think she will turn out a safe investment but no very lively pleasure in riding. I suppose £30 not guineas. I will send a cheque when I hear.

Kitten is quite well. It turned out overloaded bowels which produced the worst of consequences but nothing fatal. I am starving her, but I cannot make her touch bread on anything but meat & a mouthful of milk. Sir John called yesterday but science talk.

Goodbye my dear | E. D.

This letter of Aunt F. is quite safe to shew Aunt C.