Letter 22

5th April 1933

It is dear of you to be concerned abut us, but I do assure you that if there were any danger I’d feel it in my cold feet, and they are warm as toast, physically and mentally. As for the Nazis, I think they won’t misconstrue our activities for they won’t notice anyone so humble as S. or I. and we remember our passports etc. and I’m registered by the British Consulate etc. etc.

If the Nazis thought that information was being handed on, they would have a nice time of it here! As to the anti-semetic business, Hitler has ordered them to allow the Jewish stores to sell goods again but they still sell pamphlets in the streets called ‘Out with the Jews’ or some such nonsense. I shall buy one some time and see what it contains. I did see a very obviously Jewish couple buying one from a particularly truculent Nazi!

I spent the morning washing clothes and trying to practise. In the afternoon we rehearsed again and it was so hot that we all played hopelessly. Never mind. After that Sophie went to the British Embassy (which was closed) and I took my flute with a rejoicing heart to Moritz to be regulated. After that we went to tea with Grattan and I’ve just discovered that all this time I have been supposed to be keeping a motherly eye on him, so I was responsible for him! But bless me! I don’t know how I was to realize that if no-one told me. Anyway Grattan has had the time of his life. I can’t help feeling relieved that I didn’t realize sooner that I was his dear “Aunt Mary-ana”.

Later:

We had a lovely time in Frankfurt/Oder with the Gotsches. They’ve been married a year and have a comic infant with bushes of long stiff black hair. Babies always cry when I hold them. This one went purple in the face with rage and disgust. But it was rather sweet – at least when Sophie held it. George gave me a long lecture on becoming fat and domesticated. He seemed to think I would be in particular danger.

Today is one round of drudgery. Soph is visiting Nazi victims and I am about to iron etc. My dear Tante Dorothee had just begged me over the telephone to contradict all the lies in England that are told about Germany and the new Regierung. I haven’t read a paper for a couple of weeks, so I don’t know what has been said. But I’ll willingly contradict all lies. I wonder who will listen to the voice of this wild ass braying in the wilderness ?