| Description | They are on the eve of reaching Suez. He thinks this is the first time he has written 'since the heavy blow fell on me that has made me a helpless baby so long; and broken up all our plans and prospects...'. He has been desperately ill, but in the best hands, with Emma and McNeile sitting up with him. He refers to the kindness of Mr [George] Campbell. He has had dengue fever on top of malaria, caught from the ship's crew, he believes. He gives an account of his illness, which Emma also caught. They should land at Southampton on the 14th. The ship they are in 'is by far the best on this side of the globe' and the sea air will help his recovery. He has eighteen months' furlough and his plan is to settle in a quiet house. He may extend this to January 1874. [from 24 August] He asks if his mother can spare them a bedroom and nursery after Emma has been to New Lodge, commenting on the suddenness of the arrangements and on how high prices are. Emma 'has told about poor Johnny's dengue'. |