From Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield [c. 18] April 1873

My dearest Body—

I enclose a letter to Mr Cook not knowing his address. F. continues very unwell which makes Mrs H. rather more irksome in one way, but on the other hand I am out of the room with him as much as ever I choose— Dr Clarke does not seem able to come to the scratch after all— I am glad he is taking so m. pains w R. & that R. has consented to give up the music. F. sent off the awful letter to H. [symbol for yesterday] & I hope we may hear [symbol for tomorrow]. It will be v. awful— Her is the last acct of Lady L. I am afraid a v. bad one— I wonder whether poor Sir C. will die of it— but I dare say not— I shd think Miss Buckley wd be a comfort to him.

The Howorths (Bessy Holland) are staying a few days w. Eliz. & coming to luncheon today—

G. Is on the whole better tho' never long without bilious sickness— He has quite settled to give up the law & settle at Cambridge & study in some laboratory. I think he is quite cheerful in the prospect. B. & I called on Mrs Nash & found her a pattern of youth health & strength of about the size & make of Lucy— very talky & jolly & by no means pleased w. Mr Finden's doings. She said she supposed if he thought his power changed the bread & wine so he wd think all those bowings & changings & foldings & unfoldings necessary—

The Lubbocks go to Farnboro'—& I wish I cd go any where—

I met the whole Ff party in the road & Mr Ff. carefully did not speak to me tho' it was not quite necessary as he was the other side of the road walking with somebody else, but I saw that Mrs Ff. was annoyed & looked round after him—

Mrs H. goes [symbol for tomorrow]. We were dismayed to find that Dr H thought it likely she wd stay longer, so that I think & hope his eyes are not opened to her utter want of pleasantness—

I did ask her to sing but she only played w. does not signify.

Yours my dear | ED

The weather is beyond measure abominable—

I will send the bit out of Nature. I believe H. binds the Engineer so that wd not do.

I like the silk you marked v. m. & will send straight to Waterloo House—also the lace— | yours—