Record of a Friendship

(Ben Green) #1

had with Helga. I am continuing my Vegeto work this winter, but have
so much to do teaching English and mathematics that the analysis
will have to be done in the evenings. As this is an isolated place with no
temptations to go out I shall find work pleasant.
Did you know that Stekel killed himself lately? Poor old Stekel. I had
a soft spot in my heart for him, for behind his childish egoism there was
something very warm about him. In these days of war interest and paper
shortage he got hardly any notice from the newspapers, and his final
"Message to England" was only published in brief in one paper. The
individual isn't news in these times unless he is a blackguard like
Goebbels.
Let me know if you hear about Elsa L[indenberg].
•••


Forest Hills, New York
September 4, 1940
My dear Neill,
Your letter of August 2nd has just arrived. I hope that you
could arrange yourself somehow. We are absorbing eagerly every word
of the radio about the success of the English resistance.
I had word from our Scandinavian friends which are safe. Elsa
is in Norway and is married.
I expected your coming to America, and I wonder whether it would
not be wise to carry through this idea. The struggle for new education
is great in this country in spite of many old-fashioned obstacles.
I did not know that Stekel killed himself. Apparently he belonged to
the people who were not prepared for taking new disastrous changes.
I did not like his "Message to England." I read some of Wells and think
he is talking too much.
I would love to hear from you very soon again, and about your
children, etc.


Summerhill School
Festiniog, North Wales


My dear Reich,


  • ••


October 2, 1940

Just had your letter. I still think it would be a mistake to
begin Reich's English and American reputation with the Kampf

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