Father/Son Bonding?

[Herbert Fudge]

My dear Somersby,

While there is always news to be heard about the resort, I shall leave such updates to your darling mother, for it is with a purpose that I write to you today.  I am in the process of acquiring a hippopotamus for the resort’s menagerie, and if all goes according to plan, I shall away to Portugal to retrieve it around about the time that your school year concludes.

While I am reluctant to leave the resort so early in the season, the duration would be but a matter of days, and I wondered if you would not like to accompany me.

Affectionately,

Father

@'Somersby Fudge'

  

[Somersby Fudge]

Dear Father,

I will not lie.  I am rather surprised at your offer.  Not to say that I am displeased, I only meant that I know you generally like to take your trips alone.  I think my only concern might be who will assist mother and the rest while you are away if I go with you.  Not to say that I would not wish to go with you.  I miss you when you are away.  And... I do not think I've ever seen a hippopotamus before.  Aren't they rather large?

Yours,

Somersby

@'Herbert Fudge'

  

[Herbert Fudge]

My dear Somersby,

Between your uncles Jed and Orson, and the ever-vigilant Mrs. Fisher, I would not worry about your mother or the resort! Both will be in the finest of hands, and should do very well indeed without us for a few days.

Hippopotamuses are very large indeed, and take up a great deal of space. I have already begun on renovations in the menagerie to accommodate such a beast. Transporting it home will be quite the adventure, but magizoology often is!

Affectionately,

Father

@'Somersby Fudge'

  

[Somersby Fudge]

Dear Father,

Do you think so?

I hope you are right.  I would hate to leave mother and the children without us and see things fall apart.  But, I will confess, I would also very much like to go on that trip with you.  It gives me something else to look forward to at the end of the year.

Though I cannot imagine the types of accommodations that you are trying to get together.

Yours,

Somersby

@'Herbert Fudge'