Letter 16, page 2

One of these days I'm going to do the portrait of that second lieutenant of Zouaves whom I've
spoken to you about, who's now on the point of leaving for Africa.

Why have you not replied to me about your plans regarding your military service?

Now let's talk a little about what you say, that you're thinking of coming to spend the winter in
Arles. I have deliberately set myself up here in such a way as to be able to fit someone in if necessary.
If Gauguin comes, however. He still hasn't categorically said no, in any case.

But even if I could put you up, I don't see that you could feed yourself well here for less than
3 francs a day. And I'd prefer to say 4 francs. Naturally, in the case of being broke, we could make
many meals cheaply at the studio, certainly we could save that way; all the same, living here, I tell
you, comes a bit dearer than in Pont-Aven, where I believe you're paying, aren't you, only 2.50
francs a day, and that's for everything. Lodging included.

© 2007 Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam