From H. E. Darwin and Emma Darwin to G. H. Darwin 15 [April 1868]

Dear G.

I'm so sorry you are still seedy. Don't you think you racket too much, only perhaps the final cause of Paris is gone if you don't racket. I confess that English names seem to me rather prominent. If it wasn't for that I'm glad you've got to kno H. Norman. You never mention M. Lubbock. Is he like all other Lubbocks & resolved upon having nothing to do with us.

Frank is still at home & apparently not going back till Monday. We have heard that Horace didn't do much, but what he did do, he did well Stowell said. Father is going on well & we are not going to put off the Nortons. He has got a black bruise as big as the seat of a chair on his [hip—Spayle] is still sure it is all going on well. He won't be able to ride for some ages & I fear that he ought'nt to ride Tommy again—so we must look out all as ever we know. I'm too dull to write & Mother says she will so Goodbye d^r G. I wish u weren't seedy & I wish I wasn't. I wish we had no bodies.

ur H.

[What follows is in Emma Darwin's hand]

My dear Gingo

I am afraid we shall not see you on your way. It is very provoking your not being very well. We have had regular hot summer weather for 3 days, only fit to sit out on the lawn—

Marg^t Williams (do you know who she is?) has got a little boy & is going on well. It is a tremendous relief to A^t Caroline, but I trust that she will recover well.

We have settled not to put off the Nortons as we have W^m & Dr Hooker. F. is still lame & not quite as strong as usual but going on quite well—