From Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield [12 September 1879]

Dearest Hen—

Your letter to T.H—makes us quite resolved to do something, & if I send my letter I shall make it rather strong e.g. I shall put in that he never intended to restrict intercourse; also there is a v. good sentence of yours w. I shall utilize when I write to invite Ida. We have not heard a word from Horace since he went to Scotland—

I think I shall send my letter tomorrow to reach Abinger after Bessy is gone—

My state of mind is decidedly worse since the solemn promise of an invite at Xmas. It is as if they thought 4 months of unhappiness & longing & irritation nothing.

I was r. disappted at the letter from Hope addressed to me to forward to you. I thought it was from Effie—

Aunt Eliz. is all on fire to get the Kempsons & Uncle Harry to Petley's. I feel so cold & disagreeable to her about it; but I have managed to conceal from her what a misfortune I sh^d think it, or at least what a burden— She wishes it intensely chiefly because she thinks it w^d be so good for Harry & also such a benefit to herself (w. last I am surprized at) I trust however that there will be difficulties in the way— Louisa wants to send Johnny to a day school— I do think it w^d be a good plan for. U. Harry. They have their present house for nearly a year longer. The rent is £75 a year w. 3 acres, w. is certainly cheap—

Lett. continues poorly. Mr Edwards went into a great passion w. him about taking arsenic pills from Fr. tho. F. had spoken to him about it & he had approved—

I don't think I shall ever employ him for the poor again he is such a brute. Not that he was employed by us in this case, as he is Club D^r—

I hope some foreigners will call on you. It will be better than English; so improving. Such a dull dismal day for an exped to Hastings (the choir & also Henry & Fred who wished to join) after nearly a week of beaut weather—

Daisy is being broken in & walks at such a rate she will I am sure be a spirited Donkey— I don't think B. will care about riding yet— His present rage is collecting chairs under the lime trees & making a carriage & horses & being John; & somebody behind,—Dacku— It has gone on some days several times a day— He is like George in that constancy— Mr Dyer was writing to F. & introduced a rapture about his baby— What good it must do Harriet to adore her baby: but she is going to have another w. is a pity so soon—

Your Tues. letter only reached this mg. & yet you got my Monday's on Tues.

Horace writes from Whittinghame quoting a letter from Laura

""I v. m. hope from what Ida said last night that Effie & [O] may make some friendly advance towards y^r parents."""" & Ida says the same to me""

""I expressed myself more strongly ""about yr doing something when ""I was at home than I feel ""now, I have not got an ""opinion; but it does not concern ""me what I think, thank Goodness ""so I shall not think any more ""about it.""

F. & I do not agree w. you in thinking that F's opinion having been misunderstood does not make a reason for writing—however arguing at 400 miles distance is a waste of breath. yours my dear | E . D .

Burn. Aunt C—