From Horace Darwin to Emma Darwin [October–November 1877?]

Dear Mother,

I have been having a very pleasant time here & have been taking my work rather easily. Last night Lady Donoughmore & her two daughters came much to the grief of the Balfours apparently & it was said that we should have to put on C.M. which means company manners. We have been playing battledore this morning, they make it a regular game here, it is very good fun; we play over a string in the dining room just like lawn tennis & score in the same way, Lady Mary Mrs Campbell, Miss Balfour & my self made up the four this morning. I have been out a good bit most days, so I have not seen very much of any body except in the evenings which are always pleasant; this afternoon we are all going to see a pirize bull at the farm, who is supposed to be very fine. I expect I shall leave here on Sat. & shall come home on Sunday. I was very glad to hear that Bernard was all right again.

Yours affec son | Horace Darwin