1. Theo was at home in Etten, recovering from his illness.

2. Thomas a Kempis, De imitatione Christi (The imitation of Christ).

a. Vincent meant the letter to their parents, which was enclosed with his letter to Theo.

3. Cf. Matt. 6:34.

4. Cf. hymn 62:2 (see letter 95, n. 17).

5. Matt. 7:8 and Luke 11:10.

6. Luke 15:20.

7. 1 Cor. 9:16.

8. Regarding ‘The story of a mother’ by Andersen, cf. letter 89, n. 6.

9. Anna, who was looking for a new situation in the Netherlands (cf. letter 78), wrote to Theo on 4 October 1876: ‘I’m looking hard for a position as an assistant teacher or something similar and am very busy. I hope so much that I’ll succeed; it would be such a relief to Pa and Ma if something were decided for me’ (FR 2783).

10. Cf. Gen. 42:36.

11. An allusion to 1 Kings 18:43; see also letter 87.

12. ‘Having ashes on one’s head’ is a sign of mourning or humiliation. Cf. 2 Sam. 13:19, where Tamar puts ashes on her head.