From Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield [9 May 1879]

Dearest H.

I shall not in the least mind writing to Lady D. W. Fox & Miss Shepley. About our stay. F. has quite made up his mind to the Monday. & so I will not unsettle him; much as I shd like it—& about B. I think we will not him him off by himself. We shall be at home before lunch. on Monday— if you are just on debateable ground it will be more wholesome for you not to have him till you have profitted by yr. 2 days country; but my real reason is that I feel superstitious about him when Fr is away— The weather keeps horrid & F not v. well w. a new pain slight but tiresome which I am sure is only air as soda relieves it. The whole household except parlourmaid went an exped. to Portsmouth & Bessy was more tired than any dog by the end of the day, tho' B. was q. good—& Sara helped her; but 3 hours out of doors is enough for any one's days work—

I went to call on the Yonges & found Lucy just as cheerful as if they were not greatly in want of money owing to non—payment of divs in two India Banks w. her brother persuaded them into a most conversational mood. However I laid him down when I had exhausted all my stories & then Bessy took a turn & lastly Sara who succeeded in finishing him off by the most dismal [drowning] singing.

Here is a letter from C. L. w. you may return to At Eliz—

I wish Snow wd go for the Sat again—

I am afraid F. does a little too m. work but it q. keeps off ennui w. might be powerful in this dismal cold weather.