From Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield [9 March 1880]

Dearest H—

We were sadly disappted not to hear that all was over this mg— I feel as if the suffering in delirium is almost entirely for the bye standers; but At C. will not feel it so, & it is so partic. hard for her who has always had such a dread of the suffering of death. Mr Hoole comes this evg. & poss. Mrs— He & Mabel will sing their songs— Her voice is so extremely pretty that any simple song will sound well: but I am sure it will not take place; & it has been a mistake not to give it up sooner, as soon as it began to be so very unlikely. I sh^d like to invite Jenny L. but that is all uncertain too— Mab. is extremely light hearted & pleasant & wholesome & I don't think any thing can be going amiss w. her—

B. & I were so disappted about Effie—so grave & dry & precise in her pronunciation Ida was present unluckily— I feel it hopeless if she is not thawed now— Ida was v. sweet & nice but in a little private talk she was disappted too, & said Effie told her no family matters— We returned w. Ida to the Hotel after her little vis. to No 6—& only stayed 10m. w. Effie as it was just lunch time— This outing has not done any thing for F. & I shall look out— The intense dullness of Norwood might be a wholesome change—

Herr F. goes to Barlaston tomorrow to Godfrey's dismay but I think he won't hurt him much— Rose is very happy about her girls—2 have got good places, & Mr Hamilton Rendel undertakes the establishment till it is broken up. Emily looking after it.

Poor Laura—to have the natural grief so embittered by feeling that any neglect may hasten his end—

I sometimes wonder she does not give up & never attempt to be happy again. but she has really a wonderful spring in her— I hope Berry is safe—

yours my dear— | E . D—

I like my new bed so much—

I have had great fun routing out old holes & corners & dividing trash between Pearce & Jackson. I give her the lion's share (an impossible American chair—sofa—delights her once G's I believe) old table, washing stand, carpet, chairs, towel horse & really her room will be $\frac{1}{2}$ furnished—

She says she shall miss Bernard the most which I have no doubt is true.

Frank has made 20 flags & he knows them all— yours my dear— I must cook myself for this evg— I have been supernat. my best love to R. yrs E.D