From Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield [24 May 1879]

My dearest

I am so dissapted at this little drawback. Don't you think it would be a good thing to drive over to us the first day you could do so comf. We w^d send to meet you at Southend—

I think in the dawdling sort of way this malady is going on a change might finish it off—

About Marianne, the maid sounds quite perfect & I think we had better enquire about her again in a year's time for I am glad to say M. is certain to be safe for 6 m., & she thinks a year more probable, & she will certainly give 3.m. notice. I will write to M^lle Métart. See enclosed from Mrs Hux. but I [can] get off I think, esp. as Fr was the principal person she wanted to have & he is out of the question—

I think after 71 one need not take such an exertion as that— Uncle Jos. talked about his sight yesterday cheerfully— It has become dim, with odd lights when he is in the dark & the D^r at Dorking said it was a cataract; but mt remain a long time in the same state. He reads the newspaper w. a large lens. I am afraid Reichel is a humbug. he told Sophy to come up once a fortnight & he used to apply some stimulating thing behind her eyes or on the nape of her neck which did not even redden the skin & if it had done so she mt have applied it herself so she gave it up— Margaret talked about Sophy's eyes & said it was q. imposs. for her to explain what her sensations were; but she gathered that the eyes were rather better as she read more— But I gathered that Sophy did not talk about it even to her which made her dullness to Effie about them more excuseable—

Old Mrs Harrison is dead & the funeral is to be at Cold Harbour on Tuesday & Lucy (& the baby) are coming here for 2 days to attend it. It must be for James' sake as Lucy had no very partic. regard for her mother—in—law. Mr H. has been most devoted to her night & day; but they seem to think he will not be v. desolate without her, as he is an odd restless man & was always wanderin about— This stopped the Heaths coming yesterday to lunch & we think may have made them put off Leo—who was to have gone to the Heaths today, so I dare say he will come here as he is asked—

How intensely G. has enjoyed his visit please to return his letter. Also Fr w. has been read many times to B. (who has forgotten the old one)— They all admire him v. heartily & Margaret's manner to him & her own is v. nice. They say he is so opposite to Geoffrey—who half kills you w. fatigue in $\frac{1}{2}$ an hour & it is really against his sense, the way he never keeps to one thing for a minute & his persistent breaking of any toys. Lucy found him walking along the top of the wall over the road & was afraid of speaking to him till she came close up to him. You might send G. to Horace (to be returned) I think Margaret is really much more cheerful & is quite a support & back bone to the house— She is very nice to us & more open than I ever saw her— Goodbye my dear. F. is pretty well, but will rejoice in a violent fashion at getting home next Monday at 10^.^45—

My love to R. | yours E . D