1851] Annie's Gentleness 135 



Charles Darwin to Emma Darwin. 



Monday [MALVERN, 2lst April, 1851]. 



. . . When the Dr came at 11.30 he pronounced her de- 

 cisively better. I was in wonderful spirits, but I have 

 been a good deal damped (8 a.m.) by the Dr finding the 

 pulse tremulous. I tell you this, for it will prevent the too 

 strong and ultimately wretched alternations of spirits. An 

 hour ago I was foolish with delight, and pictured her to 

 myself making custards (whirling round) as I think she 

 called them. I told her I thought she would be better, and 

 she so meekly said " Thank you." Her gentleness is inex- 

 pressibly touching. Fanny is devoting herself too much, 

 sadly, but I cannot stop her. We are under deep obliga- 

 tions to Fanny never to be forgotten. Poor Annie she 

 asked for an orange this morning, the first time she has 

 asked for anything except water. Our poor child has been 

 fearfully ill, as ill as a human being could be : it was dreadful 

 that night the Dr told me it would probably be all over 

 before morning. . . . 



My own dear, how it did make me cry to read of your 

 going to Annie's garden for a flower. I wish you could see 

 her now, the perfection of gentleness, patience and grati- 

 tude, thankful till it is truly painful to hear her, poor dear 

 little soul. 



Monday, 7.30 P.M. 



Fanny gave her a spoonful of tea a little while ago and 

 asked her whether it was good, and she cried out quite 

 audibly, "It is beautifully good." She asked, so says 

 Brodie, " Where is poor Etty ?" The Doctor has been here, 

 everything going on as favourable as possible. She has 

 slept more tranquilly almost all afternoon, perhaps too 

 tranquil! y. 



