From Emma Darwin to Ida Farrer [30 September 1879]

My dear Ida

It really seems as if we should have you here the day after tomorrow. How shall we manage to make 6 days behave as if they were 8 or 10   But as soon as I know the soonest day that Hen—& R—can be here I shall do all I can to persuade you to give us 2 or 3 days longer, as it will be so tantalizing for H. just to miss you—

Kreuznach is very rainy & she not very well; but now she has R—she is happy & he makes himself quite comf. w. long walks & going to hear the band & they reading Wordsworths life. Their greatest trouble seems to be that Annie must be so dull—so they got her photoed to amuse her—& you may imagine how well she wd sit.

Laura came yesterday & tho’ she calls herself well she has bad nights & looks so thin I am sure all the past nursing & anxiety is telling on her. She is pretty easy about Ed. tho’ he is still weak. We shall get her to stay as long as she can—

It is pleasant to ask you what train we shall meet on Thursday, & at Croydon is not it?

Horace came late last night but time enough for a little talk before we went to bed   he is hopeful about all things including the little machine, & will work hard at his drains today (w. are not q. perfect) so as to have a free & idle mind by Thursday—

Laura has had nice peaceful visits at the M. Phillips & Blunts— The noise at Hinxton was enough to kill her.

Goodbye my dear ones— Send word thro’ Horace what time | yours E.D

Give my love to Tom & say how glad we shall be to see him

Horace has told me yr train 3 at Orp.