To J. S. Billings   8 [October 1881]¹

Dear D^r. Billings

I shall be most happy to see you here, if you think it worth while to undertake so troublesome a journey.² There are very few trains on a Sunday to Orpington St, (4 miles from this house) starting from Charing cross; & perhaps it w^d be more convenient for you to come viâ Bromley, starting from Victoria Stⁿ; though Bromley is 6 miles from this house— You could come here to luncheon leaving Victoria St at 10° 25′ Am & arriving here about 12° & you could return, leaving here about 2° 45′.—

Or you could come to dinner here (I cannot offer a bed as my house is full with visitors), leaving Charing Cross at 2° 30′—Orpington at 3°19′ Down at about 4° &; you could return after dinner leaving this house at 8° 20′, which is very early. Should D^r. Ord feel inclined to come I hope that he will be so good as to accompany you.³

I am bound to tell you that my health is weak, & that I am quite incapable of talking long with anyone, as it generally brings on giddiness, so I trust that you will not think me inhospitable, if after talking for $\frac{1}{2}$ or $\frac{3}{4}$ of an hour, I am compelled to leave you for a time—

I trust that this note will be delivered tonight—

Pray believe me | Yours very faithfully | Ch. Darwin