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Vienna IX, Berggasse 19
January 24, 1922
Dear Max
Abraham is spending this evening with Rank, so I take this opportunity of answering your friendly reference to the fifteenth anniversary of our relationship. You are aware of the role you have acquired in my life and that of my family. I know I was not in a hurry to assign it to you. For many years I was aware of your efforts to come closer to me, and I kept you at bay. Only after you had expressed in such affectionate terms the desire to belong to my family-in the closer sense-did I surrender to the easy trusting ways of my earlier years, accepted you and ever since have allowed you to render me every kind of service, imposed on you every kind of task.
Today I confess that in the beginning I did not appreciate your sacrifices as highly as I did later after recognizing that-burdened with a loving and loved wife who isn't too fond of sharing you with others, and tied to a family who fundamentally has little sympathy for your endeavors-you actually overtaxed your strength by making that offer. But do not conclude from this remark that I am ready to release you. Your sacrifices have become all the more valuable to me; if they have become too much for you, then it is up to you to tell me.
So I suggest that we continue our relationship which has developed from friendship to sonship until the end of my days. Since you were the first to come to the lonely man, you may as well stay with him to the last. Things will no doubt have to remain