Letter 077 Isleworth, 13 October 1876
Dear Mother and Theo,
Tomorrow the boys go home, and then I shall receive my money. I asked Mr. Jones to let me go to you those three days, my heart is so with you. It depends now on you both 鈥?if you say that I may come, Mr.
Jones will let me go. Besides longing to sit at Theo鈥檚 bedside, I should like so much to see my mother again and, if possible, also go to Etten to see Father and speak with him. It would only be for a short time; I should be with you but for one or two days.
Monday last, I was again in Richmond, and my subject was, 鈥淗e has sent me to preach the Gospel to the poor鈥? but whoever wants to preach the Gospel must carry it in his own heart first. Oh! May I find it, for it is only the word spoken in earnestness and from the fullness of the heart that can bear fruit. Perhaps I shall go to London or Lewisham again one of these days.
Just now I gave a German lesson to Mr. Jones鈥檚 daughters, and after the lesson I told them the story of Andersen鈥檚 鈥淭he Snow Queen.鈥?p style="line-height:25px;text-indent:32px"> If you can, let me know by the next mail if I may come; I was so happy over Mother鈥檚 last letter.
One of these days I hope to visit Mr. Stokes鈥檚 school. And I shall have to buy a pair of new boots to get myself ready for new wanderings.
The view from the window of your little room must be fine now 鈥?you see, I know it from long ago. We are having a great deal of rain here at present, in Holland I suppose it is the same. At Christmas I shall have a fortnight or three weeks to go to Holland; if Anna can go too, we might come together. And now winter is slowly approaching again 鈥?try to be your old self by that time. How welcome is that Christmastime in winter. Oh! my boy, I look forward so much to the time when it will be cold here and I shall have to make my rounds at Turnham Green.
When I think of you as one 鈥渨ho comforts his mother, and who is worthy to be comforted by his mother,鈥?p style="line-height:25px;text-indent:32px"> I almost envy you. But try to get better soon. Yesterday, I asked Mr. Jones to let me go to Holland, but he would not allow it, and at last he said, 鈥淲rite to your mother; if she approves, I will too.鈥?p style="line-height:25px;text-indent:32px"> What beautiful poems are De Genestet鈥檚 1 鈥淥n the Mountains of Sorrow鈥?and 鈥淲hen I was a Boy.鈥?p style="line-height:25px;text-indent:32px"> A handshake for both of you and for the Roos family, and for Willem and any others you see whom I know. And let me hear soon from you again and believe me,
Your loving brother, Vincent
1. A popular Dutch preacher-poet. Both poems quoted in full.