From Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield [25 September 1875]

Dearest Body

I was afraid the telegram portended that Richard was not so well; but now since Mr Savoy's opinion, his feverishness does not make one uneasy– –F. was especially relieved. He has just medical knowledge enough to make him more uneasy than he wd be without it; but I don't know that he thought of any thing more definite than that R's state of health might be damaged for some time. R. & I were saying the last mg. how well you were & in decidedly a better state than last summer— We have been great gamers by the loss of yr tour & I hope you will come again before long & stay as long as you can. It has been so comf. having you both in a leisurely way my dearest. We are sitting waiting for Miss Renard. John's being ill has caused intense reflection to be necessary about vehicles. At first we thought we must keep Esther's fly, but by continued cerebration Bessy has evolved the plan of her going in the wag. to Chelsfield for [Ha.] & George

I feel it a relief poor little Emily being gone— She had to be fortified with 3 glasses of champagne to keep her up, & then she got thro' it pretty well. I send you one partridge I meant to send two, but they were sent to the Franks before we cd stop them after knowing there wd be Esther to convey them.

We have 10. from Higgins I suppose—I also sent 2 to Louisa—Poor Backy had a dreadful fit of despair over his essay (& so had F.)

F. had so many objections & emendations; but he has tackled to it again & is in better heart, & hopes to get it done in a week— Luckily the Ed will not be so critical as F.  Pangenesis is sent off to be copied I am happy to say.

Miss Renard is come—v. pretty & engaging. She is teaching Elinor (Mrs Ed. Norman) & I think we may combine her coming from there, as so much nearer than Bromley— She has 5 weeks before she goes. I am going to see Amy who is a little chesty & wd not dine at the Nashes the other day—only a family party.

yours my dear | w. my best love to Richard | E.D—

I set James to paint over the court yesterday but it is all washed out. again—I think one might put pegs as I am sure it will not often need moving so as to paint between them without measuring.

I hope you will be able to come again soon.