The tone of your writing in both your message and your reply is decidedly surly and do not think that prevaricating with me is in any way acceptable, my son.

Be assured that you need not fret over sending our gifts. That is the least of our concern. As for your claim that I am too preoccupied with business to read your letters, consider that this show of petulance taxes my time and my patience much more greatly than your usual letters.