Uncle Raymond's portrait

Sir William Orpen, R.H.A., R.A. (1878-1931) Uncle Raymond's portrait inscribed 'My dearest wife I think/there is a certain family/likeness here - Had a/fair morning yesterday/at Clonsilla but I find/it very difficult to work/from nature at a painting/I am doing from a/drawing - However I/saw a few facts that/I never would have/got from the drawing/I was prowling/about Dublin/on Saturday before/going for the 6.30/and went into/Butlers and/bought a/chandelier for/the studio - it/will be too big/In the house I got it because/I know I could/sell it/for more £18.10.0/its about 4 ft deep/and ought to look/splendid in the centre/of the studio/Uncle Raymond's portrait has taken/a turn for the better - his sitting is so/exceptionally good that he deserves/to get something decent - Marchant/wrote to me about 4 days ago saying/a picture of mine of the "wash house" (the/one of Lottie standing up that Girling/gave me £20 for about 4 years ago I/imagine) was up for sale at Christie's/last Saturday. I told him to bid for me/up to £60 so that my market share should not/be beaten. However it fetched 100 guineas/which is good and I'm pleased - I/enclose you a cheque for the amount you/asked - Hope you got the £10 safely/glad Bunny liked her party and/I'm sorry to miss the doing up/of the puddings much love to/you all your loving husband/Billon.' black ink and wash on Metropolitan School of Art headed paper 13 x 8 in. (33 x 20.3 cm.) Executed circa 1908.