Dear old Darwin

I find myself obliged to put off half my visit to you. The Governess has gone away for her holiday, & my wife finds the nurse not to her trust, & what with this & the boys home for the holidays, she wants more help in the house, so I have to go to Bath on Saturday to bring up a friend of her’s, who will help her.¹ Moreover she does not like the nurse, with reason I think, & wants to get rid of her, but has not grounds enough for a dismissal; & as I think it not safe to let the nurse have the child after she has warning, I have advised her to take the child to Hastings for change of air, leaving nurse here, & writing up to dismiss her from thence—² This is an ugly ruse to play, but it must be done & a prudent friend in the house will be a great help to her. The whole thing is a horrid bore

If the weather is fine Willy & I will run down on Sunday morning to Bromley with our nightshirts in our pockets & walk across Holwood park—³

Ever aff | J D Hooker