Dear Theo,

I have not again written to you since we saw each other. Meanwhile something happened to me that was not entirely unforeseen.

When I saw Mr. Boussod again, I asked him His Excellence if he approved of my being employed in the house for another year, and told His Excellence that I hoped that he had nothing serious to reproach me with?

But, alas, it was the case, and His Excellence has forced me, as it were, to say that I would leave on 1^st. April, after having thanked the gentlemen for all that I might have learned with them.

When the apple is ripe, a soft breeze will make it fall from the tree, and such was the case here. I have probably done things that in a certain sense have been very wrong, this is why I have never made a big thing to answer back.

Well, my boy, I am not at all clear what I should do next, but we shall try to maintain hope and courage.

Oblige me by showing this to Mr. Tersteeg, His Excellence may know what has happened, but I believe that it is better if you do not tell it to anyone else; and to act as if nothing has happened. Write to me soon and believe me

Your loving brother, Vincent