From Emma Darwin to Leonard Darwin 26 September [1876]

My dearest Lenny—

You will be glad to hear often how we are going on— (I burnt your letter unread as you wish, indeed it wd have been painful to read; the joy & the opposite side of the picture I keep my mind from dwelling on)— Arthur's leave was out on Sat. & Horace went down on Monday— I am afraid he will only partly supply the need, as he feels it such a new situation he hardly knows what to say— Frank says ""the love & care of Mrs Ruck & Atty are beautiful""—

I am sure Frank would like you to write to him. Your natural feelings are sure to be sympathetic to him. He shews an almost morbid anxiety to be always at work & is translating English into French, & some German pamphlets into English, besides F's proof sheets & his own Teazel papers, which last I am afraid he will fine too painful, Amy was so mixed up with that & all his subjects. Do you remember her enjoyment about the fern at Hopedene. My chief hope is in Frank's affectionate nature which will prevent his taking it in the bitter way Godfrey has done—

I shall never forget the sight of him when all hope was over lying on the bed supporting her poor insensible head which however looked quite placid in no suffering. Indeed she had no suffering or fear from the beginning, & he was spared the fearful delirium which so often accompanies fever in those cases.

I shall always love Mrs Ruck & the 2 brothers  We are going on Thursday to Q. A for a week. F. is very much done up. Hen. came very brisk and well a week ago, but became feverish & has been poorly ever since thoo' not much amiss.

William has been to Malvern to get rid of the rheumatism in his arm— He found the same paralytic clergyman there that he & Horace used to like so much some years ago, & he found him quite as nice this time. He has a soirée of ladies every evg in his room & for a man who has no family I sh^d think he was better off there than he c^d be any where—

Goodbye my dear old man yours | E. D—

Here is Frank's news.