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

Dearest H—

I am so thankful you will go to Cooper & settle; but oh I wish I knew what you were to settle. I feel v. afraid of that green; could you see a bit of it printed in the other green; now here is my ultimatum—if that is m. bother stick to the old browny buff—w I have no doubt will look better & more drawing roomy with proper fixings— I think Cooper wd tell you if it looked too like a bed room.

I am v. headachy so leave all news to B—

After 3 miserable days for Polly, so miserable that she chose to go back into the stables, she was this this mg. w 2 dead puppies apparently smothered under her— so it is g. as well as they wd have certainly been ugly—& now we must take better care of her— How sorry I am for poor Ed. & Laura— The first pang of giving up life as it were must be so terrible—

Here is Ida & the naughtly little soul is evidently happy—

Ask Mrs Johnson whether I wrote to James to egage him— I thought I did; £23 at first & to rise to £25 & she might let him know. Did you borrow the April Fortnightly & if you did will you please send it to W^m^

Bernard went the 2^nd time to R—bourne & liked it— Charming little Charlie was so nice to him & they gave him a paper man w. he was devoted to for some time.