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Vienna, December 101 1925
IX., Berggasse 19
Dear friend,
As Anna told you on the telephone, the last report from Berlin was that it is going better today “as if by a miracle.” They tell me that with lung abscesses one shouldn't despair so quickly. I always had the inclination to take Abraham's illness seriously and am even now prepared for the lethal outcome. When it comes to pass, I should go to Berlin and on this painful occasion get to know some of my grandchildren. But I don't believe I will do it. My speech has been quite miserable since the last cold infection; I don't want to show myself to anybody in this state, and the unremitting complaints and paresthesias rob me of all ability to achieve, except for listening for a few hours to what my people are saying, whereby I, myself, say as little as possible about it. If you want to go to Berlin, then I would like to speak with you on the way back. We are the nearest ones to be concerned about what will happen with the Society, especially since Eitingon is in Sicily and will hardly be able to divest himself of his fetters in order to get to his post.
We may not, as long as he lives, portray what we have lost in him. But it is hard, especially for me. A test of what looks out at you when you live a long time. Whereby everything again empties out into conciliation.
I greet you and Frau G. cordially, and this time I would like to be wrong.
Yours truly,
Freud
The date is not clearly legible; it could also be “16.”