From Elizabeth Darwin to Horace Darwin [31 May 1873]

Dear Horace.

It has been very cold since we have been back though bright, so we were particularly lucky to have it so warm. Lucy came on Wednesday and it is a great blessing having her without Sophy. On Thursday we drove to Addington, it looked very pretty and we had a very nice time loitering about. We had some most excellent tea and bread and butter at the little inn; and the landlady came in afterwards in the old fashioned way afterwards and hoped we had enjoyed it. Alfred and Mrs Alfred have been staying at Aunt Elizabeths and seem brimming over with happiness, I think she thinks a good deal of him, she laughs at his wit and is constantly appealing to him with isnt it Alfred?

The Hensleighs Aunt Fanny Uncle Hensleigh and Hope came here yesterday after the wedding which seems to have gone off pretty well except that Effy nearly fainted. They drove all the way to Abinger, Effy borrowed a kitten for a fortnight to meet her there, she said it would help her to bear things better. Poor Hope is in bed with a cold, and will be all day I expect. I hope you have got over you bad time dear Horace it was the only take off to our delightful visit at Cambridge which answered to us all so well.

I hope George is tolerable.

your affectionate | Bessy.

I go to Wales on Wednesday.