From Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield [20 July 1881]

Dearest H—

Well Jack came without Madie, who has a sore throat. He is a remarkably nice man I think & he may refine M. He evidently thinks her the height of all things. It was a lovely evg & we sat & read  He reading M'Carthy's History but I don't think reading is his line. I hope Madie may come today as he will be m. happier with her—

I did not know how much he stammers—

Well Effie comes! & on the Friday till Monday—

I think it will be a good thing for the Horaces not to come till Sat–- -so that she may have the arrival peaceably over. The boys will also come & they will be very useful—

Poor Mrs Parslow died last night w. no more suffering 

Mrs & Miss Adcock called on Monday & I found Miss A. was perfectly competent to inject morphia w the most excellent effect in painful illnesses— I wish I had known it to have saved some of those horrid days. The father was a D^r & all the sons— Mrs Alletree is just come- –- Is she French I suppose so—

Tiresome Mr Fiske recommends a still more tiresome American Lady who I suppose we must have to lunch—

The Colliers meant to stay till Sat. but I shall try to get rid of them on Friday.

A charming day & not hot (in w. I have succeeded)

Uncle H. finished by leaving his pocket book on the table w. I am sure w^d mortify him—

He went & had a long talk w. W. Tasker, & he thinks he understands all the ins and outs of his money affair, & he is going to send him to his own Attorney. Conceive Tasker employing the Attorney in the case of buying the property from himself. This man advised Tasker to change the copyhold into freehold & charged him 250