Letter 2

Read by Delia Corrie

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27-10-31 – Potsdam

Dear Russell

…..You appear to doubt the fact that having come out to study music I am actually doing same. Young man, I will now remove that doubt by relating to you my daily programme for the week. Every morning (except Wednesday and Thursday when I must be early in Berlin) I blow long notes from 8 to 9. I then practise alternate hour from about 9.30 to 1.30 unless I go to Berlin. In the afternoon I may make no noise for all Germany sleeps then, but from 5 to 5.30 I practise again

Do you still doubt that I am working? Well, let me tell you my Uncle Prill has at last given me a piece” I have learnt it twice before but that removes the necessity of buying it…..’It’s an ill wind….’ Etc.

Your congratulations charm me, and as for your enjoyable evening, well you’re not the only one. I went to a dance on Wednesday and danced very hard till 1.30, making the acquaintance of a few new relatives en route. In your second ‘telegram’ you invite me to keep my pecker up (how vulgar you are, Russell!) meaning, I suppose my nose. I have to when I play the flute in order not to interfere with the wind pipes; another of Uncle Prill’s ideas.

At the moment my spirits are up – high, high up. For why? My acorn has split and is about to sprout. Have you ever grown an acorn in a jar of water> its great fun. It’s sad to think you may not be coming to Berlin. But hope on hope ever. Perhaps Germany will abandon the gold standard. As to how the German papers regard the general election – I ask you! I can just comfortably read Grimm’s Fairy Tales (all of which I know in English) and you ask me how the German papers regard the general elections! However I have (emulating Isabella of Spain) vowed not to have a new toothbrush or a new pair of suspenders till I can speak German with fluent (if ungrammatical) ease……

The Hochschule is a marvellous place. Do you know out of 24 flutes I am the only girl? So I have renamed it ‘The Spinsters Paradise’ or ‘Her Happy Hunting Ground’. You never saw such a variety of men! Is it coincidence I wonder, that the Zoo is so near? I am able to write this lengthy epistle because my flute is in Berlin having a B.Bebel put on it. I know no more that you do what that is – but Uncle Prill said it was necessary. It will cost 4 to 5 R.N. Rather exciting – but I feel as thought my only child was undergoing an unknown operation. It is vilely cold – wind, frost and dead blue sky – and I have been bitten by a mosquito, curse!

You seem to like having your own way – like me – and – like me – you seem to get it. “write!” says you. And behold! I have written.

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