From Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield [29 May 1880]

Dearest H—

The lockets are come & I like them very m. & so do W. & Sara— I have written to ask Mabel whether she likes onyx or Garnet— I will get you to order the bracelet at Guiliani's and when you do so you had better enquire what discount is given— I felt sure the Dicker bracelet w^d not give satisfaction from being weak— I mean to go to a rehearsal— I call it r. selfish or Rose not enduring to give up $\frac{1}{2}$ an hour of it to save Amy any thing so tiresome  I shd prefer the 8^th concert but the 9^th might be handier. I had a long talk w. Miss Grace today & found her v. interesting  She is quite fond of Robt Mackintosh & did him justice—but when poor Molly returned to America the ghost of her former self it was thought that he must be a regular Blue—beard. I have no doubt she will go & see her.

Frank came *P [symbol for yesterday] *Q & picked up Bernard & Nanna on the common in his way up— Yesterday was q. bitterly cold—& the day before it was trying to rain all day. We walked in Rogers garden today & the Rhodos look frizzled— All the primroses & polyanthus absolutely killed by the drought  They start a new gardener today, well recommended by Rogers— Bessy finds the Laurences an advantage as keeping up small talk & being very nice about At Eliz— W^m. laments the departure of Aunt Grace next week, she is such a help about Mrs Lowell—but in 10 days time the stepdaughter from America will be here & Mrs Lowell seems to be really recovering & then she will be off her mind— It is a gt interest & pleasure to Sara—but has been a gt deal too m. for her— I find the usual drawback of being able to see so very little of Sara, I think the best way is not to aim at it but take her society if it comes— I spend m. time listening to the parrot who is evidently possessed with the spirit of brawling women of the lowest class; but stops dead if ever he perceives he is listened to— I hope you will have fine weather to shew off the Castle & sit about 

I suppose the baby is quite of the sitting up age & being amused— Bessy admired the Castle v. m—

my best love to Hope & Godfrey yrs E.D—

W^m. & Fr are just gone to Lawn tennis at Gen. Clarkes & we are expecting the Yonges— Next week I hope we shall get to Salisbury Cath—