From Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield [20 August 1878]

Dearest H—

I was v. glad to get your letter— Leo came about luncheon time & the only sign we have elicited from him was the heartfelt rapture w. which he spoke about the family at Abinger. We go [on] Thursday instead of Friday & it will be q. long enough as F. keeps v. unwell in the mgs—& it makes it irksome for him. Yesterday was q. a lovely day, & he & I went to call on Emily & were m. struck w. the prettiness & comfort of the garden. when I saw it in bright sunshine— We were going on to Emma's but he turned giddy & went back & I went on—

She is the most comf. of little pigeons & her children look as fair & placid as herself (Oh did I write to Hen or B. yesterday—it must have been B—I have altered the heading once & must do it again—) Leo went a charming ride w. Rose & Cecil— She sings a good deal every night w. spirit & I am sure it is good for her— The first 2 days I felt that people's wearyness about Amy was absurd, but when day after day no conversation can go on without her tumbling headlong into it I begin to feel that I might be as bad as any one— I had a nice sit w. Hope in her room; but F's unwellness has been unlucky for my seeing much of any body, esp. of Uncle Frank, who is very jolly & comf—

Emily went to spend a day at Dilhorne yesterday w. Miss Stephen & we had q. a large party in the evg—with the Lawrences & Katie Rendel & her brother from below— Uncle F—ride of 1$\frac{1}{2}$ & then his lie down takes up so m. of the mg—but I have had one open talk w. him about the affair—& his sentiments are v m. like mine, feeling that it concerns Rose more than Mabel. Today or tomorrow we expect the Hemmings , Cecil is v. nice & yesterday Amy was happy in taking him to Newcastle, he driving— Leo. is to go to the works tomorrow & sleep at Dilhorn & off to Scotland on Friday night. Here is B's acct of things. I have not a guess what I shall do, but if I do nothing I think nothing will be done— I don't find it necessary to hold my tongue about politics but U. Frank v. nearly does so— Yours my dear E D

I am so glad you were able to poke about Lichfield—