From Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield [4 June 1876]

Dearest Hen—

Thank At Eliz. for her long letter & she will take this also as hers. What weather you have got to loaf about in. Here we are so plagued about water that it takes off our enjoyment. The other night Lett. carried off four barrow loads from this tank to the Cistern in the garden, quite emptying this one, & by morning it had all disappeared owing to a leak–- -

Bessy is just gone off with the last of the roses for the Thorleys & Mad^lle. She lunches with them—

They start tomorrow evg. & arrive quite late at Leicester, & stay till Sunday evg. there. It is a stupid place, but nothing else will suit the Scotch maid to pick him up. W^m. was v. languid & uncomf. all *P ⁠⟨⁠symbol for yesterday⁠⟩⁠ *Q morning, but a game of lawn tennis, quite briskened him up w. I think an excellent sign & he is brisk today, writing a long civil declining to an invite from M^rs Sartoris which he is sorry to do—

All Bessy Pearce's socks have arrived too long & I am returning some to be altered & doing some myself—

Mr Wills has sent in his resignation, & Frank is afraid he shall have all the settling on his shoulders as Mr Forrest is going to Scotland & Mr Nash not come back. We get more & more weary of Mordecai. If one wants that sort of thing it w^d be better to read 2 or 3 chap. of Jeremiah.

Ask At Eliz. if I shall send Moresby to her by post— I have done the civil thing by Mrs Costello & I will see if she likes to utilize B's back carriage—

Our lilies still go roasting on quite enjoying themselves as do flowers, but their legs very brown & ragged—

(Pray tell me any thing you may learn about Alfred)—

Here is a nice letter from Leo. & I am glad he takes precautions about the heat—

Send it on to George.

I hope we shall hear from Horace before I close this. He sent a telegram with his address saying he was afraid the paper was done badly– – But beginners always think that.

Now I must go & [mark] w. socks—

Here is H's card. His letter is longer & he is delighted with the machinery he sees—

He read his paper v. badly; but it is to be published in the Transact.

you shall see it soon—