From Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield [September 1871]

My dearest Body

I do long to hear of your being a bit stronger, but such happiness & rest good food must soon tell upon you. I shall keep your dear letter all my life.

Ch. Laughton arrived on Sat. looking so wonderfully well after his attack. It returned on him at Paris the D^r he consulted told him he must not stir, but on the contrary he set off at once thinking he w^d be supposed to have the cholera & w^d be turned into the street. He is quite well now.

I am sorry about Lady L's present & also about a Ditto from Mary Owen, which last was inevitable. I have not the least doubt from lady L's manner she felt quite embarrassed and guilty about you. Very cordial note from M^rs Heury with love to you & hopes she shall see you in London. She has never even heard of the engagement.

I wish you c^d see the mountain of rubbish which is on the floor of No 7, Bessy has added a quota of hers & we are going to divide it as soon as Anne has sorted it out & arranged it. F. is pretty well & at work today & yesterday. Your letter made him happy too–-I am afraid you will have a wind tonight. I will remember about the Bromley Record. You looked very nice in Daily News. B went to see Mary Hills on Sat. & found her worse than ever with faceache. Aunt Eliz. is going to send her to a London dentist with M^rs Hardstone.

M^rs Croft heard of your marriage first in the paper. Aunt Eliz certainly wrote to her one of the first, & was surprised not to have an answer. I have made it all right. I went to evg church & was astounded at M^rs Alwyn's good playing–-I am sure she has learnt professionally, she has all the regular tricks & really plays with great spirit and taste—I have some tough Fantasias of Schubert & find a bit of real practising of a thing I never heard very refreshing.

M^rs Smith of Down Court has just lost a young child with Diarrhea & also just been confirmed. I must send today and enquire— Smudge is a little lame still, but plays about in the best of spirits.

It is cool enought now for F & me so Jake our regular mg walks, which I always like. I mean to have asked the Laughtons to dinner today, but I think I shall give the most complete rest I can to F. now he is at work, & they will understand.

yours my dearest.  E.D.