From Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield [16 December 1879]

Dearest H—

No we have nobody on Sat—but are sorry to give you up. I was rejoiced at receiving a tel. last night to say At Eliz. wd be at South End today at 1^.^ 30— It was your doing & you never did a better job, tho' it did not seem to take effect at first, as she wrote saying so; but something changed her afterwards. It shews that she has a good deal lost the proper measure of things that she c^d not bear to cut off a lark from Harriet, tho' she wished so much to come home herself & for such good reasons— She can perfectly go up w. George on Thursday— Old Grossmith was a complete success, which I was especially glad of for Bessy's sake as she was in a gt fidget about a small audience— He & Alice came together from Orpington talking all the way. I went to the lecture, & among other amusing things he gave quite a long invitation of Artemus Ward w. I was partic. glad to hear—

The room was quite full & I was surprized at the rough boys understanding his jokes so well— He ended w. Scrooges' dream (w I m. dislike) exactly in Dicken's style I never saw Alice laugh so much before as she did at the other parts. We were back before 9 & then Mr G. amused F. for an hour w. many amusing stories, & especially a long imitation of Serg^t Talfourd— It was a slight frost last night & our dirty lumps of snow have not nearly disappeared

Frank proposed himself my beginning to teach B—so we have begun something we call lessons; which he is rather proud of as yet (till he finds them out)

Yesterday he came to breakfast & after playing about some time he sat still & grew melancholy— B. ""I am tired—"" Me. Well we'll soon go in the Domino & then you won't be tired"" B. I shall be just as tired"" (all this several times very melancholy) At last B I want something to eat"" Bessy Oh that's what it all means— His whole face & manner changed & he repeated most joyously several times ""Yes that's what it all means—"" He had his bit of toast accordingly Bessy put me in mind that he had had a bit of bread & butter the day before at P.M. tea & I had said joking ""He was so tired he had to have a bit of bread & butter""—

What a toad Maggie is!

Goodbye my dear— | E . D—

Leo told us on Sunday that he had been feeling below par in point of health for a month or two, & I think we may have sometimes attributed it to low spirits. He says it is something very small—& he is leaving off smoking & sweet things.

yours my dear | E . D—

I was horridly vexed about At Eliz. not coming; but especially on that warm Sat—when however she had a reason as she had a cough.

We all like the Pall Mall Rev. v. m. & have sent it to Krause—