From Emma Darwin to H. E. Darwin [4 February 1870]

My dear Body

I have just written to Mrs Galton. I asked Lizzie T yesterday & she does not come— It is a g^t disap^t today the frost breaking up, or they w^d have gone to the H. Normans, & as Mary H. can skate pretty well it w^d have done nicely— They were v. poor spirited not to go on Tuesday  I did all I c^d to make Frank go. Yesterday he rode over to call & made love to the little pug & found there had been good skating all m^g & yesterday too— They all & Mary skated on the village pond & she enjoyed it. She is a most easy guest & v. friendly w. Bessy who brushes hair w. her at night. Last night we had bout rimés & Edmund's celebrated games. Mr Powell came to lunch & joined them on the pond afterwards. Horace is gone up Woodhousing today & Frank packing up for Cambridge, v. wisely as he finds reading imposs. here. He is greatly consoled I guess by the breaking up of the frost.

George dined at Raven. on Tuesday & met the Godfrey Lush. & Mrs A. Smith w. whom he was quite charmed. Bessy & a bro. were invited today & poss. Horace I have left it doubtful may go. John is gone up to fetch H's mare— After all I sent the M. S to Mr Dulin having written particular direconions about the * P transposed words * Q & * P deleted or inserted words * Q & . . . . under a word also all the names w come so many times over

On looking it over it was m. better that Papa's w. Mr D. managed quite well. Papa is just about sending some to Mr Norman to copy so there w^d have been delay (not that that was my motive).

What made F & H go to Hollycombe. It is the coldest house in England. Send me the picture of Laura's sole. I shall like v. m. to contribute to the warmth of her feet. Polly has been very jolly till today when she seems poorly—

She awoke 3 times in the night in Anne's room & howled for you. Also ran up & fetched out a cuff of yours after you were gone—

Bessy quite likes her gown as far as she can care about it & I think your advice is good about adorning her. Anne has got a frisette. It is a dress that is sure to do twice at least by means of cutting off a flounce at the bottom & v. pretty. Swett. goes tomorrow. He is rather affectionate & always enquires after my head.

⁠⟨⁠⁠⟨⁠bottom of page excised⁠⟩⁠⁠⟩⁠ now after such a long interval. I am rather afraid Lucy Wheler is w. the Galtons but I hope better things. Mary goes w. our folks on Thursday—

Goodbye my dear. It is v. cold in spite of the thaw — ⁠⟨⁠⁠⟨⁠bottom of page excised⁠⟩⁠⁠⟩⁠

Will you tell Alf. he shall find fly or wagg. at Orp. 4. 51—