the red dog when it was a puppy." But I didn't know the puppy would
grow up into a wolf.
Summerhill School
Leiston, Suffolk
My dear Reich,
- ••
August 2, 1950Yours today (dated July 28th). O. K., I guess I was too
sensitive and in consequence have put you in an awkward position with
the State Dept. But what would anyone have done when told that a
visa might take 6 weeks to come through? Meaning that the conference
might be missed, and certainly the chance to earn seminar dollars would
be gone. I grant that I felt it was my right to have a visa straight away,
especially when apparently there are a few thousand U.S.A. tourists
here now without any visas.
I have no idea if I'll get a visa or not. So long as we can arrive for the
20th, all is well. But will I get a visa? Up to the war at least half my
staff were party members, and I had to sack one man because he was
preaching communism in the school. Also the fact that in my writings
there was enthusiasm earlier on, and a lack of force in my later at
tacks, a lack due to fear on my part, cowardice encouraged by reading
books like [Arthur Koestler's] Darkness at Noon and Kravchenko['s
1 Chose Freedom]. And I am no fighter; for children yes, for my ideas
of education, yes, but for creeds and religions outside my sphere, no. I
could never be a member of any party and wave a flag.
Ena and I aren't as optimistic about our getting a visa as you are. The
vice consul's cold manner chilled us both. Ena says: "If it lies in his
power only, we won't get 'em."
Latest Bulletin just arrived. I feel warmly about your friendly words
on myself, warmly and proud ... and homesick for Orgonon.
Orgonon
Rangeley, Maine
My dear Neill and Ena:
- • •
August 4, 1950I just received your letter of August I. Let me first of all
ask you not to yield to depression because of the delay of the visum.