From H. E. Darwin to G. H. Darwin [July 1867]

Dearest George,

I've been a hartless demon never so much as to have written one line of condolence on your troubles. or praps as you got better after going back & only suffered from dullth & the prospect of slavery before you, a little cheerful news would be more to the purpose. The fact is I was busyer than can be told whilst the Hensleighs were here, wanting to talk 6 hours a day & croquet 7 left not much time for anythink else. We had a most heavenly little visit fine weather all the time & we sat out & worshipped on the lawn all day long & they were all partic. nice. I find their company like dram drinking—the taste for it insidiously creeps on & on & I do sometimes feel that my life would be betterQQQQ without them. A wicked feeling of delight comes over me when I hear Uncle H. say that they won't be rich enough to go abroad next winter. I came home yesterday in the true bad shilling spirit— I set off Monday intending to go down to Millicent's the next day then what should Anne do but fall ill of scarlet fever at least as they believe, & so of course as I was infected I couldn't go down next day. I still had hopes that it might turn out a false alarm which hopes sunk down below zero yesterday & I thought it better to come home to my sorrowing parents. Anne is not the least bit seriously ill I ought to premise or I shouldn't be writing of things in such a [cassle] comaish spirit. I had one little drop of comfort in my bitter cup  I went to the L. of Lyons again & thought it yet more heavenly than I did the first time. This beautiful weather makes me bear it worse it would be so delicious in a pretty new country— Such is life. Frank & Lizzie seem to be having very good fun at Plas Mawr. Did you hear the wretched Rose is not allowed to go because if you please—some of the girls have got the mumps at Miss Buobs—& I suppose she won't be allowed to go at all. Isn't it too great folly? Tuffy is said to be getting better of his mange & none of the other horses have taken it yet. Little Gerge is got quite well. We are funny quiet little party—very few servants & very few gentlefolks. John is chiefly on marriageable thoughts intent & M^rs. Evans is up nursing Anne.

Goodbye my dear George  hoping all has continued better  ever yours affec | H.E.D.