Author's Note: This story suffers a little from this site's lack of a strikethrough tag. Text in parentheses should be read as struck through, in the manner of a handwritten draft. The full effect can be seen in the version available on my LiveJournal account, which includes Howl and Sophie's "manuscript".

This is for Lyra Ngalia, who asked for it. Or at least for something like it.

N.B. Make fair copy. Do NOT send draft.

(September) (22nd) (25th) (30th)
(October 12th)
November (1st) (5th) (8th) 9th

My dear Miss Ngalia,

It is with great (pains) pleasure that I take pen in hand to thank you for the (faun) (barn) (loam) --

What am I thanking her for?
The list says a fa-- no, a bo-- oh, a basin. Goodness, Howl, your handwriting!
Yours is certainly more legible than mine.
Oh, no. I've written my share of the notes already.
No need to gloat.

basin.

Basin?
The large china one with the garland of primroses around the rim.
Oh, the garish thing you use for Morgan's baths.
Yes. But you needn't share that opinion with Miss Ngalia.
Trust me.

It is quite (large) (nice) (a wonder -- a marvel cast in porcelain, a jewel of the ceramicist's art) lovely. We find it indispensable for bathing Morgan (when he consents to be bathed. Those weeks he spent as a kitten following his birth have without doubt affected his character); it is exactly the right size (for a boy no larger than an ocelot).

By the time you've finished editing this note, Sophie, it will contain no news whatsoever.
Why, then, am I writing it?
It's customary to thank people for the gifts they send you.
It is?
YES.

How you would laugh to see him splashing (water all over the floor and giggling at Calcifer's distress) in the water, babbling happily the while.

Oh, God.

We expect his first word (to be "No!") soon.

Your confidence that Morgan will follow in his father's footsteps as a (great) wizard is (natural) flattering, but we must not anticipate matters. Rest assured, however, that when he (summons his first demon) casts his first spell, you shall hear of it. (And if he's anything like his mother, so will all of Ingary.)

Thanking you again for your thoughtful gift,
Believe me, Miss Ngalia,
Your (most humble, most devoted,) most obedient servant,
Howell (Pendragon) Jenkins

One down ... several thousand to go.
Eleven, you mean -- don't be such a baby. Shall I have a word with your pen so that you can dictate?
No, no, I'll soldier on.
Don't forget to make a fair copy to send.
Trust me.