I write to you myself for I fear Mrs. Sleptova will not, as she finds you rather intimidating. I tell you this because as a woman soon to be a wife, I trust you are mature enough to keep this information in confidence.

Mrs. Sleptova tells me in her latest letter that she will, at last, be returning home to Hogsmeade, her husband, her son, and her beautiful stepdaughters. She is to be expected in only a fortnight, and will be bringing with her many gifts and trinkets from Russia, as well as a new, Russian-speaking lady’s maid with whom I think she will be much more comfortable. I would not want her sudden appearance in our home to startle you, as forewarned is forearmed. Not, of course, that you shall need to do battle with Ustinya!

I hope dearly that you are well, and that Aunt Yulia takes good care of you. I also have something of a surprise for you, but I think that I shall reveal it myself, in person. If I were to come home to visit on Sunday next, would your schedule allow you to spare an afternoon for your loving father?

It pleases me to see that you have kept your good humour in spite of my absence from the house. I would recommend that you rein it in somewhat before your stepmother’s return.

I assure you that this is a much better surprise much less traumatizing a surprise you enjoy. To that end, I shall not ruin it by divulging the secret here. Does Sunday suffice?

I don’t know what I did to deserve such an ungrat

I am excited indeed to see you! I shall at two o’clock.