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July 3, 1899
Dear Wilhelm,
It is frightening when mothers become shaky; they stand between us and our demise. But then, you write, things are better; for both mothers.
I and all of us are especially glad that this time the younger mother is feeling well. Practice must count for something.
The author of “the extremely important book on dreams which unfortunately is not yet sufficiently appreciated by scientists” felt wonderful for four days in Berchtesgaden au sein de sa famille [in the midst of his family], and only a remnant of shame kept him from sending you no postcard of the Königsee. The house is a little jewel of cleanliness, solitude, and views; the women and children feel very comfortable there and look wonderful. Annerl is becoming downright beautiful by way of naughtiness. The boys are already civilized human beings, capable of enjoyment. Martin is a strange bird; sensitive and good-natured in his personal relationships, completely wrapped up in a humorous fantasy world of his own. For example, we passed a little cave in the rocks. He bent down and asked: “Is Mr. Dragon at home? No, only Mrs. Dragon. Good day, Mrs. Dragon. Mr. Dragon flew to Munich? Tell him that I shall visit him soon and bring him some candy.” This was occasioned by the name Drachenloch [Dragon's Hole], which is between Salzburg and Berchtesgaden. OH classifies mountains here, just as he does the city railroad and tram lines in Vienna. They get on very well and without jealousy.
Martha and Minna are now reading Hehn's letters to a Mr. Wich-mann, and since you know everything and also lived on Wichmann Street, they want you to tell them who this Mr. W. was. I gave them to understand that you have more important things to do at the moment.
Do you know what this excursion vividly reminded me of? Of our first meeting in Salzburg in ′90 or ′91 and our walking tour over the Hirschbuhel to Berchtesgaden, where at the railway station you witnessed one of my finest attacks of travel anxiety. In the vis