From Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield [April 1880?]

Here are such a happy farrago from H. & I. Fr went yesterday & goes to Cam—today. When I came home I was perfectly dazzled w. the passage & quite approve of the d room—as the paper requires v. few pictures— I find we have a good store of paper over for accidents. The maids are gone to the confirmation & I wish I c^d believe that they thought it any thing but the merest ceremony— I gave a little exhortation to Harriet—

I am so glad to find from W^m that Mrs Burnett (by his arrangement) is staying w. Mrs Lowell—) I will send you his letter—

Pearce has been consulting D^r Southey gratis & he says it is gout & forbids all spirituous liquors (I think) & sugar— I am glad Bessy has given up the black satin & I hope [it] will end in a black net (for I don't believe a blue muslin is to be had) w. has always been a success—a plain skirt is I think chiefly to be avoided—

I was watching the skinny figures of the young ladies as they walked out & they all walk like Lena & I am sure it is a new fashion—swaying their arms & moving their shoulders taking long [strides]  It is q—cold & dismal today— Goodbye my dear  We are $\frac{1}{2}$ thinking of inviting Sir John & Conny on Sat—in a way they can refuse.

I have no doubt you will have found a gt deal more sense & connections in the 9^th—than I did— The Scherzo was played most beaut 

yours my dear | E. D—

I think R. must have cheated himself. the tickets cd never have been only 3/6