My Dear Father,

I thought the simplest plan was to go and speak to Old Rosas himself;² so I caught him yesterday; I tried to explain that you had met him last year and spoke to him, and I think he understood³

At all events he took your paper and read it carefully through making me read each word, and then he said he would write the answer and give it to his servant for me.⁴ So I went today, and the servant asked for your direction as old Rosas wanted to write to you; but he said he was very busy & should not be able to write for some few days.⁵

your affect son | W E. Darwin