From Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield [31 August 1876]

Before I shut up I hope I shall be able to tell you of the folks safe arrival—Such a dismal cold mg—therm. 50. Mrs Costello is to walk over & be conveyed back w. the little boy, whose legs I am afraid are not m. stronger

I have paid up the £1—

I found him & little Martin in the field by At Eliz. & a little old lame dog. & the child & the dog both insisted upon being carried. However they both cheered up on being brought thro' the garden w. their faces towards home, & waddled off together. I quite disliked the thoughts of having to do w. Lena, but her extreme nature makes all intercourse easy & one has not to affect any thing. Her whole soul is full of the violin now & she hopes to play in the Orchestra of their musical Union at B— mouth. I must hear her play by some means— She played all p. m. w. Old Tasker, & she says he plays very well— She has allowed him to give his violin to Stevie w. is too bad of her.

She has adopted a younger Miss Mangles & Miss Grimstone is not taken on again— She brought up her little dog with her to Polly's extreme indignation; but there was no battle as Teasy was on Lena's lap all the time & is such a quiet little body—

The more I see of Mrs Ruck the less I can take interest in a single word she says, & I don't think she is interested herself.

Amy's size is something portentous; but it is all above & she is all light & active as possible.

I am glad to have done all my duties & we can enjoy W. & B. in peace & quiet. I went after the little Birkins *P [symbol for yesterday] *Q & at the same time learnt to my joy that the Wards are gone to their father at Addington & the eldest boy has got a good place in the garden at Apesfield so they may poss. be saved from utter degradation. I must take some measures to feed up the little Birkins for a time. I never saw such miserable little things after their fever—

12 o 'clock  They are just arrived W^m not tired & blessing the Pullman— Miss Teesdale met them at the Hotel at Glasgow & went to No 6—with them to breakfast—

They had rainy but sunshiny weather at Tarbert but W^m likes Braemar better. The drive down from Braemar was not to signify tho' of course the horses were hurried too much. It is nice having them but W^m must go on Sat—