7.2. 1939
My dear Gretel, because I want to enclose a few lines to
dear Ernst [Gretel’s youngest son], whose letter I greatly enjoyed, I right
away answer your letter of Sunday which arrived today. I’m just glad that the
problem with his finger isn’t that bad, as you describe it, and that he has
already returned to his work on Thursday. So, he told me a fib? I hope not. I
am sorry that you have a sore throat once again and in addition a problem with
your stupid knees, and I hope that this will soon improve and you will be well
again all round. I suppose that this has to do with your stupid climate, where
neuralgic and rheumatic pain is common, I am sure, but let me tell you of a
cheap remedy which is just as effective as Gelonida neuralgica, which Ernst [her
doctor] wanted to give me last week, but I told him it was too expensive.
Then he immediately said I could just as well use Contraneural. (Why do local
physicians always prescribe the most expensive medication first?) Some time ago
I took the first medication on his advice, and it was of no use at all, whereas
last week I took Contraneural for two days and felt its good effect and
actually am still feeling less pain, at least not as intensive pain. Yet this
medication is only 1.05 Marks for 20 tablets – so try it out! How much work you
have made for yourself with your invitation and cooking! But if it gives you
joy, you were right to do it. I myself would certainly have indulged in a
different kind of entertainment! Were [your guests] acquaintances of old?
Little Nicole appears to be a true wunderkind – I have never heard of a child
of 4 and half years getting her second set of teeth – that was quite a rattling
of teeth, wasn’t it? I was also glad that you finally had time again to be with
Wolfgang [Gretel’s oldest son]; it is really too bad that you and the
people closest to you see so little of each other – so near and yet so far! At
noon yesterday I had to write a long letter to my administrator Dietz about
that stupid business of [obtaining] a mortgage. Unfortunately he has been sick
for a week. … had a business consultant from Baden-Baden write a rather urgent
letter to me, which I received on Sunday and immediately sent on to Dietz, who
in turn phoned me twice about it yesterday. This matter will be decided in
court, and for this purpose I need to supply all sorts of information, which my
administrator will use. It is a very stupid affair. And you always write in
such a daft manner about money matters, for example today: “So they have to
take out a mortgage, if there is no cash” – “if” can only mean “because” or do
you suppose that I am keeping money in an old stocking? I really don’t understand
your ideas about this whole matter. I assume, if one has to take out a
mortgage, a forced auction cannot be far behind, because where am I to get the money
to pay for the interest? Even if you think I “mustn’t worry about it”, it’s not
easy for me to cope because I face these questions and negotiations too often
and too much. On the other hand, I don’t want to take them too seriously and
often tell myself: there are things that are much worse. – Yesterday morning I kept
working long past the midday meal: I covered my warm woollen [house]shoes,
which are a little worn, with old black Atlas [a silk fabric], and lo
and behold, the result was excellent. In former times I often embroidered slippers,
so that I still remembered the pattern very well. I just had to make a paper
pattern first. “So it’s bound to come again!” [lyrics?] – [by] Ivanzelona
[?]? Otherwise nothing much has happened to me. On Sunday Lenny shared my midday
meal, and Mimi [Emma’s sister Wilhelmine Bing] joined us as well. She
brought [woollen] hats from Lisbeth. Later Georgi also joined us, because we
wanted to talk to Jenny about her birthday presents. Her birthday is on
Saturday, the 12th of this month. She will be 76 years old, and
perhaps you can send her a postcard, if possible. – Strange: I called Dr. Kraus
some two hours ago and asked his office to return my tax assessment concerning
the second instalment of the capital levy, and just now I get a letter from Dr.
K[raus] with the tax assessment enclosed, and a bill from him for 83.50 Marks,
of which 25 Marks are for his consultation and work on Jewish asset release,
etc., including 8.50 for tax on documents for Mrs. Margarete G[oldstein]. In
addition he writes the following: “Retroactively, and to keep things orderly, I
confirm [receipt of] 36.30 Marks for income tax and notary fees for Mrs.
Goldstein. In the meantime I had to pay another 8.50 Marks tax on documents for
transferring the power of attorney and so I must ask you to send me this amount
together with the amount of the invoice.” Furthermore he writes: “Unfortunately
I can make no headway in the matter of your daughter. On 16 January 1939 I
wrote once again in detail to the Department of Finance and repeatedly asked to
be informed in what form the Jewish tax on assets must be secured through
landed property. So far I have received no answer whatsoever and will follow up
again today. Mr. Singer and your daughter are informed about my efforts.” The letter, by the way, is dated 3.2. It was
probably in the hands of other people – one can see that the envelope has been
opened, and the letter arrived finally today, apparently coming from the post
office to me. It was addressed to Kőnigstrasse
72 instead of 27. I will see that Dr. K[raus] is paid today.
Now we’ll eat the midday meal – we’ll have potato soup…[illegible]
there was rice…[illegible] there were crepes with apple compote,
although that’s not certain, I didn’t follow up and ask if A. brought apples
along. My dining room is now quite nicely furnished as “waiting room.” All my
love and all the best, my dear child, and a 1000 kisses from your mother.
Heartfelt greetings to W’s and Judas [Gretel’s daughter
was married to Hans Juda].
FOR MORE LETTERS SEE MY NEXT BLOGPOST. For the originals
see LBI Archives AR 7167/MF 720.The translation is by Erika Rummel
and Susi Lessing.
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