Part 2 Letter 1

Read by Delia Corrie

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Early October 1931Potsdam

Dear Russell (later to become her husband)

I am a Hochschulerin! My ‘Uncle Prill’ from whom I learn the flute is no Beauty. He is slightly taller than I am but looks a dwarf because of the immense size of his head. Still, one mustn’t go by looks so rest assured a kindly heart beats in his stout German bosom. As for Herr Prof. Bunte, I wish he could open his eyes wider; and, deary me! I must practise C G D A for one hour very slowly, raising the fingers very high and banging down for all I’m worth. Piano, you know. It is all highly amusing and Potsdam is completely enchanting. By the way you get very funny food; quantities of dark brown bread with Wurst, quantities of toad stools and no meat. Should you like potato pancakes with peach compote? I didn’t. And let me tell you it takes more than a fortnight to learn the German tongue. Oh dear! I still feel inclined to subscribe to nothing but Our Dumb Friends’ League.

In this short space of time I have become a reformed character. Now, for the first time for many a long year I am being told what I must do, instead of my telling other people. A novel experience! What is more, I do it. So my room is tidy m stockings are darned and I say grace before and after meals. Also I am growing an acorn in a pot.

Did I mention I have my luggage safe? When I got out at Friedrichstrasse, Berlin, I looked so helpless with all my luggage travelling speedily on to the next station without me that a nice fat English speaking porter did it all for me, including seeing me through the Customs.

Let me tell you, I have some very posh relations in this place. I went to lunch and came back overpowered by their grandeur and the size of the house. While I was there, I am glad to say, I managed to bear up with composure…Now I must go to bed, because I have to be in Berlin by 9 tomorrow and it takes one and a quarter hours from door to door.

A new letter will be featured twice a week.