Amice Rappard,

I ask you - also on my parents' behalf - whether you would like to come here one of these days - as soon as you please.

My mother's recovery has now progressed so far that she can sit in an easy chair in the living room, goes out in a Bath chair, is beginning to walk again, etc., etc. So her recovery has gone more smoothly than we dared expect in the beginning.

The trees are blossoming outside, and at the moment the weather is still not too hot for long rambles.

A few days ago I sent you three more pen-and-ink drawings, ¹ “Little Ditch,” [F 1243, JH 472] “Norway Pines in the Fen,” [F 1249, JH 473] “Thatched Roofs” [F 1242, JH 474]; I thought you would like the subjects. As for the execution, I should have wished with all my heart that the direction of the pen scratches had followed the forms more expressively, and that the forces which render the tone of the masses expressed their shape more clearly at the same time. I think you will admit that I did not systematically or intentionally neglect the composition of things, their shape, but I had to take a shot at it in a rough sort of way in order to render the effect of light and brown - the atmosphere of the scenery as it was at that moment - the general aspect - as well as I could. For at present one can see these three things together only at special moments.

I hope you will come. Of course you will bring along your tools, and the more you bring of your work the better I shall like it. I should like to see that sketch of the “Females of Terschelling” and the “Little Weaver” again.

My parents join me in sending regards.

Ever yours, Vincent

I think that when you come it will be a good opportunity to bring with you all the drawings of mine that you have at home. Then we can resume our work together on a number of new subjects, if you feel like it.

It is always a good thing to let one's work wander around a bit; and if people don't like it, well, never mind - show it again later anyway. If some people you've happened to show these studies to have disapproved of them or laughed at them or said of them no matter what, they will change their minds if they continue to see them over and over again - not all of them, but some.

I am eager for you to see my painted studies again.

1. See letter 366 to Theo.