Dear father,

I visited grandmamma in Marseilles. Through your flurry of letters, I know that you found out about the money I took from your study and that Lawrie is accompanying me on this journey. He has been a true friend through all of this. You need not worry.

Mother is here, after all, Father. She is not caring for grandmamma; it is rather the opposite. My dear, dear mama is dying. She knew this and left us to spare the pain of seeing her in her final days. But the pain cannot be covered up and cannot be hidden under the rug. It stings every day of every hour ever since she left. Now that I finally know the truth, I can at least be comforted by that.

I urge you to come soon. I hug and kiss her every day, and every day could be her last. You should be here with us to do the same.

Your daughter,

little bear.