From Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield [30 June 1874]

I certainly was v. g. that you were safe at home on Sat. night instead of going to the station in heavy rain— The Nashes horse was lame & they came I can't think how in their little pony carriage. It went off quite pleasantly & Mr P. graciously informed B. that he thought the dinner had gone off very pleasantly. F. was brisk & stayed some time in the evening. We had music but not very good.

On Sunday mg. I had a long spiritual talk with Hensleigh. He is quite full of the subject, but I shd say, not so excited about it as he was at first.

He astonishes me by giving as proofs of any thing what the paid mediums say about it. As F. also says that she does not think it bad for his health now as it was at first.

Mrs Rupell Gurney's firm belief seems to impress Fanny as much as it does Snow. It is unlucky Fanny coalescing at Elir with Amy—She looks so bored by her, & yet Amy was saying things just as worth hearing as most people generally do—

She goes *P [symbol for tomorrow] *Q & Amy stays till Monday. She is going to R.bourne this p.m. & I have asked Amy to breakfast *P [symbol for tomorrow] *Q so there will be gaps. Mrs R. & Amys little fly visit has gone off well. Mrs. R. really liked the house & well she might for, it was in apple pie order & looked very nice & the roses very fine. Frank & Amy went after dinner to look for his watch w he dropped somewhere, & to gather a big bason full of beauties (I can't think why they are so m. better than ours) to take up w them this mg to Miss Barton. I am afraid the watch is hopeless & it is only the chain w. is valuable as all sorts of scamps were in the village, & he went to meet the Rucks down in John's lane when he prob. dropt it. I fancied Mrs R. a little embarrassed at first, but it quite wore off & she said something pointed about thanks to F. when she took leave— Amy was unusually animated but awfully thin. She seems quite well. I can't make F. agree to the Ridge, so we shall go to Abinger & L.H.P if they will have us & stay a fortnight or 3 weeks at Wms  The Josi go today to Q.A. I wonder whether you will manage any civility to Sophy. I feel as if Caroline was absurdly anxious on that point, but yet I sympathize w. her to a certain degree. I wonder R. was not killed with his luggage before he c^d get a cab.

yours my dearest | E.D.

A v. sweet letter from at F. giving up all thoughts of coming. I can't think who tells her all the stories about Lady K & her children. They seem to give her gt pain— I shd have thot Harry A. too discreet.

The weather is perfect—warm but not oppressive—