From Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield [21 December 1879]

Dearest H—

After all Mrs Romanes was prevented coming by tooth ache & so all that has to be done again— I am so glad I was not tempted to tel. for you w. F— c^d hardly bear my not doing though he felt it w^d be wicked—

I am all right; certainly one man is m. easier than 2— R—was v. pleasant & F. sat up till 10—30— He had a good deal of court gossip to tell w–-F—condescended to be amused at—

He brought his violin & the music was funny— As long as his air went steadily or w. no pause he did v tidily; but I had to make all sorts of leaps & holdings back if he had to conform to me— F. liked it extremely & asked him to play a solo—whereupon he played the second to [Haydns] Hymn—without having an idea that it was not the real air; but ended w. saying he did not much like it—& no wonder no more time—

I am sorry about yr cold— It was well At Eliz went it is ⁠⟨⁠⁠⟨⁠a⁠⟩⁠⁠⟩⁠ hard frost—