From Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield [19 December 1874]

Dearest H...

I wonder how u got back from Hopedene for no doubt you got there pretty well — You must have been very snug. It is a thaw today—whereby it has broken 4 panes of the verandah w. an avalanche off the roof. I suppose we must set up some netting to divide it in the fall. As M^rs Goodwin was too fainthearted to come thro' the snow we turned the luncheon into dinner & had the Franks & M^rs Atkin & M^r Goodwin. He is a pleasant man & a teetotaller of 3 weeks standing as he told us— He spoke with tender regret of beer. He said "at the end of 6 months we mean to see what we have gained." (I say in money, the others say–morally) George came yesterday walking almost all the way from Orp–(The 2 ladies took advantage of the carriage to go up on business.) I am glad to see that he has not lost his plump cheeks & yesterday he was better than he has been for 3 weeks.

He has taken a little turn about spiritualism again & is quite as m. astounded w. Maskelyne & Cook as Uncle H.— (I am so glad the £50 Seáce is given up). Uncle H. wrote me the enclosed note & I was quite glad to see that he c^d interest himself about anything. I have subscribed & do not send it in w. any sinister intentions.