Record of a Friendship

[ 1936-1939 ]

Oslo, Norway

Dear N eill!*

8

March 5, 1938

Please forgive me for answering your letter only today, but
as you know, my time is always far too full.
The things you tell me are on the whole encouraging. I remind
you again of what I have said to you repeatedly, namely that in four
weeks I cannot effect a cure. I also told you in advance that at first
you would be depressed by what you experienced with me. It is not
pleasant to come back to the school and suddenly to see that all the
children have stiff stomachs. But what is one to do about it? Do please
give yourself time and rest to digest the whole thing.
Please write again. Let me know in plenty of time when you want
to resume, as I have to arrange the hour.
With warm greetings.

Summerhill School
Leiston, Suffolk

Dear Reich,

• I •

March 16, 1938

Austria and Spain seem so terribly importantt that it sounds
silly to write about myself. We are all furious about Austria and still
more furious at Chamberlain and Co who are really Fascists.:\: I don't
know how you stand now, but unless you are German you have no
nationality. I hope your girls§ got out in time. One thing is sure, that the
great war isn't far off now.
Apart from my pessimism about world events, I feel better than when
I wrote last, more Arbeitsjiihig [able to work] but not enough yet. No

• Translated from the original German.
  t Just that week Austria had been annexed by Nazi Germany, while in Spain
  Franco, with the help of Hitler's Germans and Mussolini's Italians, was clearly
  winning the Civil War.
  t Neville Chamberlain, the British Prime Minister, had made no attempt to
  intervene.
  § Reich's two daughters, Eva (born 19 24) and Lore (born 1928 ). After Reich
  and his wife, Annie, were divorced, the girls had remained in Vienna with their
  mother. Mother and daughters did in fact emigrate to the United States some
  months before Reich himself.