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17 October 1911
407 Brunswick Avenue
Toronto
Dear Professor Freud,
Well, I am safely home again, after a most inspiriting holiday. I am glad to say I found my wife distinctly better. Adolf Meyer had done her much good by talking to her very reasonably about my work. I broached the
subject of treatment to her, and in the joyful mood at my return she was surprisingly optimistic. Your opinion that there was a chance for her to get better carried very great weight, for she could hardly help living with me and not thinking highly of you. She said she would [go] do anything, [except] so long as she wasn't expected to believe things she couldn't believe, (i.e. have ideas forced on her against her will). Rather to my surprise she was very definite on the point that she would rather be treated by you than by anyone else, but I told her that very (un)likely1 that would be impossible but that you would judge best.
I shall never forget the kind way you talked to me in Weimar, and am more grateful than I can say. I went away that night overjoyed at the thought that she might get better. To be honest, however, I must say that on the following day I had a disagreeable dream, which after a difficult analysis showed the wish that she might die instead of getting better. I felt greatly relieved after having it out with myself, and ever since have been freer and happier than for years.
We have not talked over details yet, but I will let you know the arrangements when they are made. She seems to assume that she will stay the winter here, and so soon after coming together again I didn't like to suggest her leaving, but no doubt it would be better for her to go in a couple of month's time.
I have no other special news. This year I have much less routine work than before (hospital, etc.) and can devote myself to practice and writing. I have just started with five new patients, an alcoholic, two pseudo-epilepsies, a conversion hysteria and an anxiety-hysteria.
My copy of the Jahrbuch has not y