Shortly before receiving the present letter from Vincent, Willemien had expressed her concern in a letter to Theo and Jo, in which she also made an urgent request to be kept informed of Vincent’s condition: ‘Oh, how sad it is about Vincent, I think so often: is there really nothing to be done? But you know that he is well looked after there, and is receiving better care than you could give him. Poor thing. Wouldn’t the Rev. Salles like to pay him another visit? I was afraid things weren’t going well. If you hear anything, you’ll tell me at once, won’t you?’ (FR b2925).