From Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield [19 November] 1873

My dearest Body

I had yr sweet little note this morning & it is quite a difft thing seeing you in yr real own home, & I am so very glad you wrote your irresistible letter.

I think Ellen w^d be rather handy but it does not signify— I am afraid poor Eras. is too poorly to care about having us, & we shall be sure to want to go up again later on—

I have been out this mg. after Mrs. Birkin who says she has been in labour since last Thursday— This is not true, but Mrs Richards who attends her thinks she ought to have a Dr so I left the money to facilitate that. I only hope & trust the baby may be dead, as she is utterly unfit to have a child.

I heard about it yesterday: & when I woke in the night did not yet feel quite easy at not having done more than get Mrs Evans to go after her—but was relieved by receiving a letter well written from Mrs B. herself which shewed that she c^d not be very bad.

We are out of luck to have 2 such horrid Drs. for I hear such scandalous & brutal stories about Dr Chatterton I don't mean to have any thing to do w. him—

Yours my dear.

It will be nice if this weather lasts.

Aunt Eliz. Has been up these 2 nights & we have read old letters, which I don't think a cheerful occupation for her— The Langtons are going & I dare say your letter was the impulse. They go the end of this month & take children.