From Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield [28 February 1877]

Dearest Hen—

I shall keep this so as to arrive after Hope's departure. I enjoyed her visit very much— She was very open & also sympathetic; but marriage has certainly made her less lighthearted. I was very sorry to see how m. she still longs for Hope dene which I am afraid will make it difficult for her to feel really settled in Staff. She is changed & thinks they might eventually live there if only Uncle H. w^d not sell it. He is a most provoking man & will not say a word to Effies proposition to him for her & Hope take the debt off his hands, to take 300 a year less allowance by way of rent for Hopedene. I am afraid poor At F. is rather bitter about affairs & if he w^d have refrained from putting the notice in the window she w^d not have minded half so much. I am sorry poor Geo. has to come home we are sending the carriage again for him, which is all the better for Druid as he always has a ""bit of play"" on coming home which shews he wants more work—

Perhaps Flyer will go w. him if Brown mare has done enough—

Eliz. had the satisfaction of seeing the last of Mrs Nutt yesterday— Mr N. came & took her home. I am afraid she has no sincerity left or I might have some hopes of Mrs Nash having done her some good. She has also engaged a Dissenting minister to look after her. I am glad Bessy went to see the grave—in a sweet pretty place surrounded w. hills & the grave covered w. wreaths, which I suppose other loving hands in the neighbourhood place there.

Many thanks for the little India rubber machine—Babsy rather makes a face at it as yet but will no doubt take to it— He has been making noises today w. rather amuses him—

Here is winter in earnest. At Eliz. m. enjoyed Hope's visit— She was v. nice & affect. to her. & Eliz. came up both nights besides Hope going down & narrowly missing Mrs Nutt—

It must have been a painful worry about poor Mr Patteson. I shd think he had good chance of recovery as it is rather sudden—

I forgot to boast about our case of Hyacinths they are beaut—but will be gone before u come. We shall have some Azaleas tho'

Godfrey is nearly as perverse in not taking precautions as At F— Think of his going out to breakfast without taking his usual meal beforehand w. is at 1$\frac{1}{4}$—

He also meant to go to a house fair at Stafford tomorrow. Hope ordered him not & it is to be hoped he w^d mind her.

yours my dear | E.D

Hope will have told you our modicum of news. I hope Fr will read his own paper at the R.S. tomorrow

yours | my dear | E. D—