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Vienna, Wednesday
August 12, 1885
My wandering princess
Fancy, Lübeck! Should that be allowed? Two single girls traveling alone in North Germany! This is a revolt against the male prerogative, the beginning of the realization that one doesn't have to be lonely without a man. Haven't you had any adventures? I would rather have enjoyed that. So there is nothing left for me to do but express my pleasure that you got along so well in Lübeck, which I do herewith.
You won't expect any great change in my circumstances since last night, but something new I can report is that I received a summons to appear tomorrow at the police station; but don't be alarmed, it is obviously connected with my Dozentur. The government wants to know whether I haven't some vile deed to confess that would render me unworthy of the noble title. I am determined not to divulge a thing.
Eliot's Middlemarch in four volumes is lying in front of me, and my handkerchiefs are coming to an end, but not so my cold. And now I am off to luncheon and when I get back I will report on my financial misery.
I have to tell you about it because to my own deep regret I must reveal the fact that I won't be able to bring you any present, something I had been looking forward to so much, probably more than you. So listen. I have asked Paneth to send me three hundred florins, and I intend to borrow a further ninety from Breuer, which will bring my debt to him to fifteen hundred. Now, this is to be distributed as follows: one hundred florins to Tischer, the first and probably the only installment for a long time to come; two hundred florins for September in Wandsbek, journey included, rather too little than too much, for last year we went through more than that and still had to economize toward the end. This leaves only one hundred and seventy for my stay. Now, of the ninety florins from Breuer, seventy-five goes to the bookseller, seven to the shoemaker, five to the French teacher (I have decided to take only five more