From H. E. Litchfield to Emma Darwin [1889]

Dearest Mother,

We've had a nice day. We all stayed in all morning as it rained so, & R. & Kathleen looked at pictures & then she painted & we wrote our letters & talked. Then after luncheon R. & Ethel went off to St Pauls & Kathleen [illeg] & I to rest

Leo came in for a little call just as I was finishing resting or rather before. He has been very coldified & staid in nearly 3 days but he has not been bad, by wh. I mean no fever. He wanted to hear all about you. Then Kathleen & I had tea & then I went off to call on the Huxleys & I saw them both. M^r Huxley looks shrunk & grey—I mean his skin grey—& M^rs H. very soon sent him off & then I had a nice sight of M^rs Huxley (who looks very well) & they both sent loves to you & cared to hear about you. Jack & Ethel come home to the same house till their own is built. They have got a piece of ground up by the Swiss Cottage. The Rollers (called Rolla, not Rowler) are in Paris & she is rather uneasy as Nettie is poorly & has written to beg her to come home. She ays Nettie was very devoted & that M^r. Roller is just the character to suit her. Then I went on to Ellen who seemed much the same tho she said she was not so well. She gave a poor acct of Aunt Fanny—Nita thought her looking so changed & intenseley confused.

Goodbye dear M. It was very nice for a little bit in the aft. How was Harbour Bar? yrs HEL