From Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield [24–5 October 1876]

We have been spending the evening in going out on the steps to listen if the folks were coming. It is pitch dark & q. still so that we sh^d hear them $\frac{1}{2}$ a mile off. So now we have given them up till 9.45, & I am not sure that it is not all the better for them to come quite late, sit a bit & have some tea & go to bed— We had an agitating mg. w. poor BabsyQQQQ crying a good deal & rather badly so we tried a meal of cows milk & he went to sleep for 2$\frac{1}{2}$ hours after it, but he was q. comf. also after another meal from Harriet & it will take many exp. to judge.

I wish you c^d see the Cath. of Beauvais. I think it the grandest I ever saw from its height but it is only a fragment— I wonder you c^d enjoy any thing in such bitter wind. Today was a thick fog here but not unpleasant. On Saturday Dickie came to fetch Fritz, but had to hasten back to the station so we did not see him. It will always be a mystery to me why Fr disliked seeing him again. I was in hopes the Godfreys w^d have been early eno' for us to go & see them, but we must see if we can have a glimpse tomorrow mg. I am sure they will not come here.

William is going to fetch the new horse tomorrow from Waterloo station. We are to hire him for a month & pay £75 & £5 if we send him back— for him if we buy him. W^m. has had him looked at by Atherley & the master of the hounds.

Annie chaperoned Helen to Mrs Carpenter's & she was engaged (subject to her character) at £9 a year finding her own tea w. seems now as odd as finding your own bread— D^r Willey came in today very à propos—& advised feeling our way w. cow's milk. I shall weigh tomorrow. Eliz. is m. pleased w Godfrey & Hope coming to her & it is very nice of them. B. has been tidying my 2 writing drawers, a real benefit to me— Today she has been to see Brooks & she seems determined to exert herself in every way—

Goodbye till tomorrow my dear—

Willey is convinced M^rs Ev. is a mild form of mumps—chiefly from the swelling being on both sides of the face. It was most extraordinary that 3 good & affectionate people shd have not mentioned it, after what you said, & what we did about W^m.

P.S. Wed— They came at 9^.^45— Poor F. looking v. ill & miserable—we soon went in to tea & I made things short & soon got him off to bed— He hardly spoke. Then we went into Mrs R's room— She told us all about him, that he was really interested in his work & talked over his exp. w. Horace. Then the last thing at night he sat alone w. her & q. broke down & sobbed & cried a long time— It is better for him.

This mg. he does not look so ill & ate a good breakfast & talked a little & at once began working w. his microscope in his old room, so I expect he will not change. The sun (which I hope u are enjoying) has induced us to send Reeves to fetch Harman the photog. at once if possible & that will be a natural way of forcing him at once into his own house–- - He has not seen the baby yet (who behaved so beaut. to his grandmamma considering her face & smiling over & over again & gurgling a little)— We have some letters w. we will send to Chartres tomorrow.

Goodbye my dearest

I feel as if the worst was over—

Baby is to go out & to be weighed—

Two of yr letters [costing] a shilling each—

G. & H. did not come or tel. but this mg comes a letter to say they c^d not read her note so th^t it safest not to come—

Poor At Eliz. was horridly vexed—but they are coming for the day at 1. & we shall go & see them.

by & bye—

I dare say they like it better & so she thinks w. made her less vexed– –

B. has gained 13 oz