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Kurhaus Semmering Physikalisch-Dietätische Höhen-Kuranstalt
Kurhaus Semmering,
April 6, 1917
Dear Professor,
It happened the way you prophesied: Frau G. holds fast—despite constant emphasis on her inclination, indeed, her1 fervent wish, to marry me—to the idea to wait for Elma's return. She evidently wants to put us to a
test—or to convince herself that she doesn't stand in her daughter's way. She used the way left open by you to write to me directly.—
For a few days I was under the depressing influence of this rejection. But for two days I have been forced to think of myself and my plans. Following your advice, I went to Wiener Neustadt2 yesterday and (I think) obtained an extension of my leave for a full four weeks, until May 12.
I am considerably better. My strength has increased, and my heart symptoms have improved significantly. Still, Dr. Kraus advises me, as a protection against relapse and to accelerate the healing process, to have an X ray (or a few) taken in Vienna. From that grows the “danger” that I will get “too healthy” and not accomplish anything with my plan to be examined for fitness for military service [Superarbitrierung].—I seem to have pushed a few other doubts onto this one, which is based on reality, for the alternative haunts me all day long. (I am pursuing the fitness test in order that I won't be so overburdened with work again.)
Dr. Pártos, the translator of your “Totem and Taboo,” writes me that he is finished with it. I am having the manuscript sent here; it will be something appropriate to occupy me. The translation of the Interpretation of Dreams is also striding along capably with Hollós.—A young Hungarian psychoanalyst, Dr. Radó, is now staying at the cure house.
In the meantime I finished the recently mentioned work and will send it to you next time. I am reading the galleys of the Theory of the Neuroses with increasing interest. The people won't have any idea about how much that is new is hidden behind every sentence. Once this sketch is