From H. E. Litchfield to Emma Darwin [1879–80]

Dear Mother—

How blessed the rain is— It was cold eno' yesterday, but today I think it is ever so much better—tho' I see a little heap of mud & snow still unmelted. I am so glad of it for Lauras visit wh. has just begun at Clapham. I am sorry to say poor R. was headachy yesterday again & is not quite right today—but he wd go to office spite of our Din party tonght wh. is rather norty of him— I had to go up to the Hucs alone in my fly & comically eno' there was quite a musician amongst the Husband M^rs Smalley—a beauteous Yankee & M^rs Allingham the wife of that funny little poetling we me at Freshwater both coming in with apologies. The Cooksons & a tribe of miscellaneous girls made up the party & it was very pleasant. The scum of youth sat at one end & we at the other—but it must make a great todo for their servants & be a considerable expense— We had the most delicious potato salad I ever eat & all the meats were extremely good—tho' cold— Huc seemed in good force & I had a nice little talk with him— I tried to draw him as to his battle royal with J.H. but somebody interrupted us & I got no further than hearing that he Huc could not stand J. H. saying that History wd rank this Afghan war with the Swiss fighting for their independence. We haven't heard yet whether our Miss Clunes comes on the 15^th. but even if she doesn't, I shd think you'd rather not have us to meet the Farrers & make such a big party—

Well Goodbye dear Mother I'll go & scrimmage— My dear M^rs Th. is a lovely cook in one [⁠⟨⁠⁠⟨⁠way]⁠⟩⁠⁠⟩⁠  She has the whole of the dinner completely ready for cooking now at 12 o'clk & as far as I know will have nothing to do till 5 oclk. I am sure it must add [so] to the chance of the dinner's being good to have nothing done in a hurry. I know nothing of Uncle Frank except that he's getting on well  Many thanks for Geo— I suppose Frank is off *P ⁠⟨⁠symbol for tomorrow⁠⟩⁠ *Q