From Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield [24 May 1876]

Here we are much rejoiced for F. was so bad last night I thought it likely we sh^d not come today— but he did it q. comf. & after all it was lucky we kept to Wed instead of Tuesday, as Jane & Eliza B. found quite eno to do in getting every thing thoroughly aired. We met Snow at Dorking & the faithful Bakers & she & Marianne were glad to get into one of our Shutflys & put all the luggage in their cart. She is most amiable & w^d have given up her downstairs study if we w^d let her; but this bedroom is charming & F likes it better than anything he c^d have. I am getting At F's room for William & I think he may be here by 4 o'clock. That is a charming room for him. I find we shall fill every room in the house; but even if we did not, it is so supernaturally cold I sh^d be afraid of your coming unless the weather changed. No doubt we could manage by putting 2 boys in one room, but that w^d not leave a comf–room for W^m. The drawing room feels like At Liz used to do. F. is charmed with the place & thinks he was most unjust to the house when he saw it before. I shall write to Aunt F. tomorrow. He is gone out in his water proofs to be ready for W^m—

I believe it will be more imagination than reality to the others having S with us. To me she will be rather on my mind; but I mean to have sits w her & then cast her off my mind. Bessy will find her fly all ready— Yours my dear—