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Pápa, January 3, 1916
Dear Professor,
Events are unfolding fast and furious. Having arrived in Pápa, I already found my successor, to whom I gave the agendas yesterday and today. Today is the festive leave-taking and the farewell banquet.
Tomorrow (Tuesday) afternoon departure to Budapest, where I assume my duties on Wednesday.
I succeeded in using the mood of farewell to reconcile the commandant with my friend Barthodeiszky.
On the whole, I will recall my stay in Pápa not without fondness. The ideas, the (smaller) part of which I shared with you, originated in this milieu: the complete isolation here—the giving up of all worry about livelihood and future—yielded a virtual “womb situation,” in which the embryonic powers of intellect could be made word.
My personal fate has probably come to a turning point with this move. Despite the meaningfulness of the step, to which I seem to be half-and-half resolved, I was not at all shaken by our last conversation about marriage. I scarcely remember it now and then. It is possible that the matter has already been settled inwardly—and was no surprise.
Give my regards to Annerl, who has, let us hope, arrived safely,1 as well as to the other members of your dear family.
Kind regards,
Ferenczi