Tuesday the 14th of March
Dear Ottie,
It is raining on the harbour in the usual direction, which is sideways. The Margit came in on Sunday with ice on her rails and a new ship's cat, a grey article called Purser, who has already been found asleep in the harbourmaster's hat. Nobody has told the harbourmaster whose hat it is now.
I have bought a kettle. You will say the old one had years in it, but the old one had begun to whistle before it boiled, which is a lie, and I will not be lied to in my own kitchen. The new one is Swedish and honest and takes eleven minutes. I stand and watch it. This is my evening.
Mother's knee is better, or she says it is, which you know is a different thing. She climbed the chapel steps on Sunday to prove it and then sat through two hymns she doesn't like, to recover. She asks if you have enough blankets. I said your seasons are upside down and she said that was no excuse. I still fill the kettle for two. It is only habit, but I am not trying very hard to break it.
Your brother,
Tobias
P.S. The cat sends nothing. I asked.