I am sending to hear news of you, my good papa, and to ask you whether you will come to tea tonight. I will not insist too much on the pleasure you would give us, for fear of constraining your will; but I will point out to you that you would find a big armchair, and a stool to rest your feet on; that you would have to bring your “gouty” slippers; that we would have no strangers here at all; and that you would have music, chess and friendship, as much as you liked.