From H. E. Litchfield to Emma Darwin [September 1871]

Dearest Mother

Have got your letters & Bessy's ,for both of wh. many thanks— Tell B. I shd be very much obliged if she will write to [Amy] C. & send my affectionate love & many thanks for her present & anything else [illeg] [illeg] part she can invent. It is a nice cordial letter. It seems funny t think that in some people's minds I am not yet married. I feel as if it was about 10 years ago. that Thursday.

I was very low all Monday a.m. about the wind. but as it lulled & lulled my spirits rose & we settled t risk it. & were rewarded by a v. good passage. It made such a difference having R. In the first place he persuaded me t stay in [check] & never mind my dignity. & then he [packed] me up flat on my back & sat by me & sang me every blessed kind of song from [illeg] for the wings of a dove to the leather bottell. & so I forgot t be sick.

Bessy's prophecy is [qu] true & I feel a difft woman in this side the channel

Goodbye dearest | M. keep Father good | about his | work if | you can. | yours ever | H E L