From Emma Darwin to H. E. Darwin [05 April 1870]

My dearest Body

Business first. Bessy w^d like a Piqué suit. It may save her having to get a light silk & I will have the lace things if the texture is fine. I don't like Spanish lace unless quite fine. I like collars big. B. w^d also like some cheap handks too. I am $\frac{1}{2}$ sorry you are gone from Cannes while you were so well amused. But you w^d have been v. dull while the Langtons were away. I have no doubt many pleasant bits will turn up at San Remo. How /c^d/ Miss Marshall decline taking you to the Concert? & why did you care whether it was bad or good in that point of view. F says you have not told him yet how /much to put into C. daugtons banker for you/. He will do it as soon as he knows. Ellen is just gone after 3 days & on the whole I am in much more good heart about her, body and mind, than I was. Her grief for Georgia is so open & expansive & she is so full of interest for every body & quite cheerful. I have enjoyed her visit v. m. I gave her y^r message & she desires me to tell you that she thinks the young ought to sacrifce themselves for the old & that she shall hope to see you at the Oak. I promise v. heartily for you— She is now gone to Eras. for 3 days & then home. G has been by herself but Ellen does not think she minds for a moderate time. Ellen offered to wait till Penelope c^d come but G. said she c^d not do w. P by herself. I can't think why Mae didn't come to her. Horace rode by the study window on Peggy to our surprize. He had ridden all the way, sleeping 3 nights. The first at M^r Rouse's father v. nice of course— I went to meet him in the yard & there was poor Booby lying down & did not even stir to see him. I c^d just see his tail move—This mg he c^d not even get up & Standing saw him & said he w^d only linger a few days so he was shot by Mark (to my surprise who I sh^d not have thot capable of it)—Ellen was quite charmed w. Horace, look & manner & niceness & everything. I had a long chat w. him this morning. He quite adores the new curate who is not quite young but has only lately taken orders & is married–-Horace is thicker than ever with ""Kate Wilmer"" & goes & sits w. her when her F. is away. The F. & mother are both horrid & don't make their children happy & I am $\frac{1}{2}$ afraid Kate may think Horace not a bad spec—

I am glad he will have a counter attraction in Amy R. who comes to. The Wilmers live 1 $\frac{1}{2}$ mile off only—I mean just to give him a warning that he may suddenly find himself much more intimate than he thot he was — & that such numbers of boys have got engaged too young too judge & repented too late—

Polly is so odd I mt write a vol. about her. I think she has taken it into her head that F. is a v. big. puppy. She is perfectly devoted to him ever since, will only stay w. him & leaves the room whenever he does. She lies upon him whenever she can & licks his hands so constantly as to be quite troublesome. I have to drag her away at night & she yelps & sqeaks some time in Anne's room before she makes up her mind. She is rather languid & sleeps all day, but enjoys she walks & rides extremely & has no trouble about her milk—She sometimes takes a little turn at her burrow under the ferns, w. she works hard at before her confinement. She drove a big dog off the premises yesterday with the greatest satisfaction. Eliz. staid one night at the Oak found G. in her way to Barlaston. looking & seeming miserable— but Ellen said she w^d see the worst of her in one day—

It is a v. pretty place—

I will send you Frank's next in spite of the expence as you see he recommends. Lucy comes Friday & M^r Powell dines.— Lizzy T. declines again so I may let her alone at present. M^r & M^rs Norman came Friday I quite like M^rs G. N. Alfred L. is as ever nearly, & Lady L. is w. him in London where he probly will have to undergo an op. again.