From Annie Dowie   10 August [1875]¹

Dear M^r. Darwin—

Very many thanks for your kind acknowledgment received yesterday.² I have been examining my sisters hand again and can distinctly feel & see the fifth knuckle though it is smaller than the fourth.³

I hope you will have an opportunity of examining it yourself some day. She tells me when she was 15—M^r. Syme again examined her right hand and agreed with Papa as to the regrowth—but did not advise any fresh operation as it would require such deep cutting out, that it would most likely injure by stiffening her little finger.⁴ I am glad nothing more was done—as she plays most beautifully on the piano—and might have had great difficulty in doing so after such a serious operation.

Hoping to have the great pleasure of coming to see you some day at Down, and with very kind regards and much esteem

I remain, | dear M^r Darwin | Yours most sincerely | Annie Dowie.