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Semmering
August 25, 1924
Dear Mr. Rank
Today's mail brings a letter from you; but it contains nothing but an introduction for a superfluous Dr. W.
I cannot help noticing that during these months of your absence in situations critical for us, for you and me, you haven't shown more desire to let me know what is going on in and with you, and it worries me.
Although nowadays I view most events sub specie aeternitatis and can no longer devote to them the same passionate intensity as in former years, I am not indifferent to a change in our relationship.
My physical condition seems to suggest that I still have a little while to live, and it is my ardent wish that during this time I won't have to suffer your loss. I am told that you left Europe in an agitated and distrustful mood. The realization that I partly altered my opinion of your last work1 may have increased your resentment. You probably overestimate the affective significance of this theoretical difference and believe that during your absence I have been exposed to the influences of people hostile to you. The object of this letter is to assure you that this is not the case. I am not so easily influenced, and others-Eitingon and Abraham have just been here for several days-are just as sincere in their recognition of your extraordinary merits as they are full of regret about the abrupt way with which you shut yourself off. There is no hostility toward you, neither with us nor with my New York family. There is just enough time before your return for an exchange of letters. I would like you to enlighten and reassure me about your condition at the moment.
I don't take the difference of opinion concerning the birth trauma seriously. Either you will convince and correct me in the course of time, provided there is still time enough, or you will correct yourself and sift what is a permanent new discovery from what has been added by the bias of the discoverer. I know that your discovery does not lack applause, but you must reme