From Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield [8 March 1880]

Dearest H—

F. is just gone off by himself in v. good spirits & B. & I follow at 2.15— Another distressing acct from L.H.P. but not essentially worse I am afraid.

Bessy called at 31. yesterday & was dismayed to find that Clark & Cassidy were both w. little Berry— I went over to ask & found from Hoskyns it was inflam. of lungs. She is not q. to be trusted but her acct of Maggie & Alfs nursing was v. bad. & that At F. was always in the room. Later I sat w. Ellen & then I went over & found Fanny standing by his bed side; but I was cheered by finding him talking briskly but not feverishly— She came & sat w. me in Snows room & I got her another report of the little boy, who was evidently not v. ill & his hand damp—but Alf. & M. rather too m. in the way of amusing him— I felt it v. sad leaving poor At F. by herself but she w^d have Ernest—& I was done up—& today the report is a m. better night w. some hours good sleep— So I trust the danger is over— There had been an outbreak of naughtiness on Alf's part about a remonstrance of her about taking Berry down to the dining room w. shattered her v. m— They wd have been glad *P [symbol for yesterday] *Q if the measles had shewn themselves as accounting for so m. disturbance. Hope will like m. better coming here. Godfrey came in last night sociably—& B. had a comf sit w. Hope who seems q ""domesticated"" but I don't think Effie is quite. Ida is coming up w Effie to see the baby—& we may poss. just see her. A fresh complication arose about the Penny R— Bessy remembering that Tuesday is the day of Mr Fegan's lecture at the R. room, so she went to Caroline & she v. obligingly changed to Monday & I trust Mr Hoole will be able to do the same—but I feel all the time that it will have to be given up; because of L.H.P. B. & I are going to the Baker St Bazaar to buy presents (of a cheap sort) for Pearce, who is quite delighted w. the 2 nice rooms she has got for $\frac{6}{6}$ in an airy situation. I was so vexed at the day turning out rainy for you *P [symbol for yesterday] *Q tho' v. warm, & also for Oxford— I hope you found poor Laura able to forget her troubles & that you & she fixed yr plans comf—for Down— Uncle Ras has been tol—one threatening w. went off.

I saw a fash. young lady at the Concert in the loose coat you mean & it wd be q. becoming to B. Oh. how beaut the Razumoffzy in C. major— Such playing in the last movement—& what trash [Jo.] played by himself w. such a [thunging] stupid man to accomp. him on that harsh P. Something of Paganini a mere tour for a—

Ianotha played a Son. of Schumann generally hideous w. sweet little bits in it & she thumped enough to split one's head; but I think it is chiefly the Piano.

We were in the front row too close to the P. but I much prefer it to being too far—

Just come from 31. Little B. fast asleep & F. more comf— We bought candlesticks for Pearce & inkstand as our present is to be chiefly money

yours my dear | E. D

I find I have not told you that F. wd not hear of Basset—