My dear Sir John

I have been looking into the Nat. School Accounts, which is very necessary under present circumstances, and should be very much obliged if you would enquire whether any Interest has been paid to M^r. Horsman this year. I hope not. I do not know when interest is usually paid, but if half-year’s interest is due or will soon be due, I should be glad to receive it, as I will temporarily keep accounts for the school, and have made advances for it.² As yet I have not received from M^r. Horsman the small Balance in hand from last year.—

Shall you be at home next Sunday and might I come a little before 1 o’clock to lunch with you, for it is an age since I have seen you. If I may come, you will understand that I am not well, if I do not appear punctually.— Many thanks for “Annals” which shall be returned in a day or two.—³

My dear Lubbock | Yours most sincerely | C. Darwin

I am sorry to bother you about so small an affair as our School accounts, but it was necessary to see how affairs stood.