From Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield [3] February 1877

Dearest Hen

It is horrid news about Mrs J. Mrs Whitmore & the Ed. Normans called yesterday & she offered you an excellent old cook w. a bad leg—but she owned that she had been used to a kitchen maid— They had been calling at High Elms & found every body very happy— He is an Irishman & has estates in Ireland & Scotland & a yacht & is also M.P. so will live in London between whiles. It sounds rather too dashing; but he may be nice for all that.

Little Elinor does not look half so well as before she married. I am glad you have such a lovely day for Barlaston— It is nice for you having Hope to yourself Monday evg—the girls being out—

Bessy comes on Tuesday— She got thro' her second lesson v. comf. helped by a little candid talk about Ida—whose goings on the Schau does not approve of—teaching poor women instead of learning herself–- -(you must not tell her tho' it w^d be fun)—

The concert went off well— The 2 nurses did not go—Mrs Nicholls sang. ""rather timid at first"" Parslow said— Fancy what the timid singing of a middle aged woman who had never learnt must be. Dickie comes today & not Edwal—wh. is all the better. Frank had a gt deal of talk w. his bassoon man Mr Stone yesterday, who of course took to him & told him his income & c. He is head D^r at S^t Thomas (I believe) He played upon all his instruments to him, some of them so bass that they throw the double bass into the shade. I was surprized at the poor old fellow saying ""Do people think my learning the bassoon like Lena & the violin""—

I quite reassured him—

Lena now has the postman & the gardener & some other working man to plan w. her. I think it is rather disgustin She also has dancing but I don't know of what kind— C. L. was thinking of selling that beaut. house w. is too foolish of him; but Lena was so angry (& w. some reason) that I hope he has given it up. Those big rooms & conservatory are great treasures in the winter for those children.

yours my dear

Ellen's best love to you She is only tolerable. She says this is the warmest house in England.