My dear M^r. Darwin—

How much more lasting is the friendship between two men than two women! My father’s very warm feeling for you is not lessened by absence & he gloats over y^r. books & any word of you he hears— When y^r. letter came I saw such a glow of pleasure on his dear old face & with as much joy as if announcing a legacy (in wh: respect we have been lucky of late) he said “Darwin is still at wormbs”— my thoughts flew to the foreign city with that unattractive name but soon all was explained & I am as keen as he.² If you hear nothing for a day or two do not think we are idle— One of the most curious adventures in our wanderings was that while at Penally near Tenby I heard through a cottager’s wife that “some swell f^r. Oxford was opening a hole in the rock”— I sniffed it f^r. afar as a bit of fun for my father & after his own heart & refreshing too when he had been suffering f^r. afternoon teas & garden parties.

We timidly neared the spot & were cheered to hear the tap of hammers— a great scramble & we were at the entrance when to our surprise a giant in shirt sleeves came forward with two out-held hands & “Hoorah here is D^r. Johnson”   it was Proffessor Rolleston of Oxford who had often called & had long talks with father in our old home— he then jokingly greeted me as the first female who had entered since the flood except a she bear or so— we had such an interesting day among the bones & fed by the Proff: with Coffee out of a Soda water bottle, the workmen all round with their dinners but father says he must post his letter & I must stop³

Goodbye & thank you for all the pleasure you give us— | Y^rs. truly | Mary Johnson