From Leonard Darwin to Emma Darwin [March 1882]

Dearest Mother

It made me feel so jolly getting such a bundle of loving letters all at once, that I quite lost my head, and never thought of writing  But just after John had gone I thought you would like to know tonight that she does not sail yet. So I wrote that hurried note, and went after John to Charing Cross. It is a very great relief. I found it, and find it, so difficult to see what is best. I know of course more than you can, but I dont know nearly enough to judge. What the Doctor really said about it amongst other things. To look at she is very thin, and although generally up to a lots of work sometimes weak. She says that she has curious and uncomfortable feelings in her head. She described herself ""so that I should know the worst"" as follows, I suppose in the words of a Doctor ""Exhausted nerve tissue, and an unusually sensitive and highly strung temperament""  From my own observation I dont believe in the above a bit; but must I suppose act as if it were so. I have never seen her otherwise than cheerful, but then the excitement of seeing me may make me an unfair judge. However now there is time to think. I hope she may be able to Down on Saturday, in case it should come to her sailing soon. That will be all right wont it? But I cant make plans yet. I want to see M^rs. Fraser very much as she will be the best judge  Her brother said to me that I must remember that it is important for her as well as me to succeed in this horrid exam, as it would give her 2 quiet years at home to start our married life, and look about for what is to follow. But I quite agree that it ought not to weigh very much. I have lectures now from 5.30 to 8.p.m; so dont dine till nearly 9; and hence my letters take me rather late. So I think I had better leave off and get a good sleep as I rather want it although I slept like a top last night.

Your affec son | L Darwin

I have not even thanked Bessie and Laura for their most kind letters. I do so from all my heart

I have written short letters to William and Horace