From Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield [16 September 1877]

My dearest—

Horace will tell you what a comfort his letter was to receive— I think he found the journey perfectly easy (my best love to R. it is nice to hear of his talking I think F. must have won Sara's heart if W. did not he was so extra nice to her—but I think she is now slightly suspicious. When it was settled that she & W. were to go together & call at Mr Allen's at Orp. on their way—she asked Bessy if she did not want to go. F. said that W^m departed w. such a solemn look on his face that he thought he meant business— However I have almost no hope if he does— Tomorrow we shall over take our last comf. tel. Fr is rather extra low at present—whether so m. talk of illness I don't know. He goes on Sat to Portsmouth to see the last of Arthur & Elly— Mary D' had a good deal of talk w. me about her wish of taking 1 room in London & taking to drawing as a profession—but w only £60 a y^r6 I don't believe she can do it— Her principal motive is to get money for her little niece, whose grandmother is well off; but she can't bear the thoughts of ""Norman's child"" being dependent on her, which is senseless pride.

Anne & little [Louy] are just going to see her mother. Anne is v. low about Esther's prospects who has been spending all her savings in helping Mark during his illness—tho' he is in a club—w. shews that he can't have saved any thing himself—

Well there is all my news. Sir John has written to Mr Ff. to reclaim his book case—

yours my dear—

I am glad to hear of beef tea. Don't trouble yr head to wr. to any but us. We keep every body [illeg]

(ought Mrs Tuke to be written to?)—