This article involves the problem of establishing the optimum ambience to produce an efficient psychoanalytic process. Wolf cites the case of lateness in a specific patient, giving many of the usual interpretations, but noting that these would be felt by this patient as assaults. The interpretation instead should be that the patient is late because he cannot stand the idea that he will be deserted, which would result in his disintegration. Freud's concept of abstinence was not intended to create a cold, inhumane, "scientific" atmosphere. Wolf implies that in certain patients who present predominant narcissistic difficulties, analysis will be a failure.