From Emma Darwin to H. E. Darwin [c. 30 July 1868]

My dearest Body

Lizzy & I both felt for your agonies & she was vexed to have directed her letter to Tregeare till we remembered Frank wrote to Effie so you w^d be out of your pain before y^r journey. With respect to your coming on the 8^th. it would be slightly better your coming the 7^th because of F. F. probably coming the 6^th. & the Fry wedding the 8^th. but after all it does not signify, only you must send me my lace shawl by post (in a small parcel) registered. How w^d it be to see how you like Tregeare & whether a week will not feel quite long enough. I am sorry you miss D^r Hooker who comes Sat. (I am going out to tatoo 2 gooseberry trees for him they are perfect now) However I am very glad W^m meets him. I shall be quite satisfied whichever you settle & the boys will not want you at all. Papa is brisker today & stands the talk very well. I have been quite surprized how Susans bubbling over tired him, he really c^d not sit in the room sometimes & yet he likes them both personally. I should like half of Susan very much but the whole of her is very tiring. Frank is very tame & took them a walk yesterday by himself as Lizzy had her girl & I my boys.

They also played croquet & went to church where O'H. gave us really a good sermon. A lovely day. Sat. was gloomy & cold. Mrs B. Carter & Mrs Sam. called here & I was rather sorry for it as I thought it wd take the shine out of our soirée at Ravensbourne. Lizzy was so tired of the talk she w^d not go & it was quite as well. There was quite a clatter of tongues. Mrs Sam. seemed interested about Susans acct of Italy & fell into her hands at once for the whole time. M^rs B. C. did not make her escape as I expected but I sat by her & she was particularly pleasant. Miss Shores Mrs Hamilton Miss Ellis Mary N. Albert Dycy—what a ghost he is but seems pleasant. Mrs Clough & such a pretty little girl. She is very friendly with Horners & they are going to Combe after Ravensb. We walked thro' the park by the trenches, but I wonder Susan ever can see any thing. Where is the book Elinor wants see Note. Now I must write to Andrew about tickets for Lady of Lyons.

I feel no doubt of doing it quite well if I have a good day. If not I shall send up Lizzy with boys & she & one must sleep at Q. A. as it w^d not do for her to come home in the late train without me. What o'clock was Lady over? I am rather for Tunbridge too & I shall take a fly over & look when you come home. Papa thinks he shall not want to move till the end of Aug.

Harriet Lub. sat up in the gallery to sing & I believe she means to join the class. If she does you had better. Parslow condescends to say that you can't help likeing O'H. when you are with him. Miss Farr is bridesmaid which she seemed to think required an apology to Mrs B. C.

I am glad we have a fine day for the boys. Horners go tomorrow to Ravens.

Goodbye my dear— | I shall not mind Lizzy having given up this visit if Millicent ever asks her again & I don't know that you can forward that in any way, except saying she likes visiting. | But I have no doubt she will in future times.