From Emma Darwin to Horace Darwin 31 May 1882

My two dear ones

I have never thanked you for your affectionate invitations. We will not come now at any rate, as we shall be going to L.H.P. & Laura's in about a week—

Whenever I do come not till late in autumn I guess it will be a happiness to be reminded of every particular of our last happy visit when he was so well— It was very interesting to hear what Hen could tell me of “Grata what’s his name” (we must certainly change that)   I believe it w^d be the exact thing for us, as we had better not be a mile or 2 out of Cam. Rasmus seems to live in perpetual happiness between his hammock & his peram. I shall be glad to hear that you have solved the problem of the strength of his food. If his digestion sh^d continue not quite right I think at 5 months old you mt safely give him a little of some of the prepared farinaceous food. The weather just suits me but bright sun & N.E. wind is dreadful for the bedding out plants. I enjoy getting rid of our sulky gardener. Did you hear that poor old Brooks died about a week ago—without any suffering— Hen. is going up today to keep R. company till Friday when they come down again together— For 2 days Bernard was occupied for several hours with painting the stems of the ivy on the lime trees a bright red, with some paint of his own manufactory of red clay & water in a pie dish— To his credit he never dirtied his clothes, but once when he knelt down in it—

His lessons go on brilliantly & he is proud of doing a whole hour   I wonder whether Frank will get any notions about occupation for the future in Cam—

Yours my dear E.D.