From Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield [28 February 1879]

Dearest H—

Thank you for yr pleasant letter & Laura's very amusing account of her friend. How I wish you may have heard a good row last night. I think the budget was sure to have called up some plain speaking. I will not go back to At Eliz journey as you will hear from 31; but I was even more astonished at her strength yesterday—she sat the whole day by the fire sometimes sleeping but cutting books & & with her crochet just as usual—till nearly 10 o'clock. If the weather became softer she might go out of doors, but it was a hoar frost last night. Mabel has gone home & I am afraid nothing has transpired the' At Eliz. tells me there is thought to be something in the wind. Here is a nice acct of B— I fully expect he will be at home at Easter. Fr only means to stay a week away— I am glad he is going to Dilhorne— I don't think he regrets the Examship as he finds he wd have been expected to keep it for 4 yrs— Yours my dear E. D—

I went to M^rs Alwen & to my great indignation found that she had given up the Cudham Clothing Club in a frump because Lord Stanhope has left off subscribing, so that now the one single benevolent Farmer's wife I ever heard of has lost that reputation.

I am sorry you & R— are not to boast of—