My dear F.

It will be very important for us to learn whether it is the tips of radicles that perceive & cause them to bend to damp surfaces, so learn if you can how Sachs tried Beans.— I know that you tried mustard(?) but I forget result— in fact my Brain is in complete addle about what we have tried.² I think when you are at home we ought to try one other Graminous plant. viz Wheat—. about radicle bending up from surface of water (as Cieleski says Maize does) keeping radicle in very damp air.—³

I was talking yesterday with Ubba about your return, but could not make him understand that it w^d. be many days before you returned. He maintained that you w^d. come before Aunt Etty. He said “it is likely he will bring me some soldiers”— so a word to the wise.— I said that I sh^d be very glad when poor Dada came back. This he seemed to think very odd & asked me many times “what for?” His little head is as full of soldiers, dums & tumpets as ever it can be stuffed.—⁴

Your affect. C. D.