From H. E. Darwin to Emma Darwin 4 [January 1871?]

Dear Mother

I guess you'll like to have a line & hear how we are going on—tho' I did say I sh^d.n't write again till Geneva. I can't tell why I sh^d have felt so tired at Milan—but I'm a mystery this tour—why I eat all the time like a trooper—have my [liner] all night & every thing inside as usual or only a little worse feel strong & well for 6 or 7 days & then feel weak again for no reason I can't imagine. We have now changed our plans again at—which you will have ceased to wonder I sh^d think—& instead of one night at Chambery are going to stay a bit at Aix—les—bains & telegraph for our Geneva & [Brieg] & Aigle letters— I believe it to be a very pretty place & is on the main line  It is very aggravating of the old tunnel not to be open—it wd be so amusing & handy to go thro'. I hope we shan't have any snow, but I suppose it may fall any night—our [traget] is tomorrow morning. I guess it will be a tiresome affair—as I believe you can't look out of the windows.

We had to rebook ourselves at Milan. Historie d'un Paysan for both of us & Vie de Jesus Renan for me. I also did get a roman scarf. I was determined to have my fling.

yr HEL