To HENRI GU&ARD [at Honfleur]
Bellevue [August-September 188o]
You won't have to forgive me for being slow to reply. The fact is, I've learnt from the papers that you have been seen in Honfleur with the painter of the young Picards. It strikes me that you would be better off shrimping rather than fishing for tins of anchovies.
There are painters everywhere, Bellevue is overrun with them too, some are even property owners now here's Zizi come to pose in front of me as if she wanted me to send you news of her you see, I'm writing to you in the garden. The day got off to a bad start, I was expecting a storm and the easels were stored away.
Yesterday we had a visit from the Guillemets back from the seaside. I've begun painting the young sister [Mile Marguerite] but don't know if I'll have time to finish.
My mother and my wife send the ladies their best wishes. Leon is still making his daily trips and rather enjoys it, he sometimes brings me interesting news from Paris. I don't know why I'm suddenly reminded of Desboutin, perhaps because I had a visit from Liardo recently.
...best regards, a letter from Madame Guerard would give me great pleasure,
E. MANET
