Mo 12.12.1932, Brief von Anneliese an Walter: “Even in England the Nikolaus has not forgotten me”

“Burleigh”, Chandler’s Ford, 12^th Decembre 1932.

My dear Walter,

Thank you ever so much for your 2 nice letters. I was so very pleased when the postman brought me your second letter on Nikolaus Eve and I hope that you are writing more often now. And I promise you that I’ll always answer as soon as I can. I think you enjoyed your day in Schwelm. I’ll send a Xmas card to Hornigs. Silly always to be cross with each other – why – life is too short to make other people and oneself unhappy. I don’t think we shall ever do it!

By the way I have got a new name – did I tell you that they called me “Curly locks”? Now I am named “Sunshine Susie“, that was the name of an English film with Renate Müller, the picture with the song: “I feel today so happy”. And because I’m always singing and nearly always happy, I’ve got this name. They are ever so nice to me and they tell me every day that they won’t let me go in March. It’s very nice to feel that people like you – and I must say I am very fond of them. I’ll write to Leni to-night to ask her whether she will become my successor, she would be a fool if she would not accept this offer. –

Even in England the Nikolaus has not forgotten me. He brought me a pair of very nice leather-gloves because I had been so very busy. Dear Ena, I like her very much. I don’t think that Ena and Mr. Cox will come back with me; it’s too early in the year to have a holiday that means if you want to enjoy it. Perhaps they’ll come later on but I don’t yet believe it. And I told them that it was because of you that I wanted to go back and that I really could not alter my arrangements. That means if you want me to come back, do you? –

I am not so very sorry that Frl. Naujock is going away although she was quite a nice girl she was still very different from me. And the time is going so quickly – nearly flying away. A week after next Friday we shall go to Southsea to spend 1 week at Ena’s parents house. I’ll give you the address in my next letter because Ena is just upstairs to put Christopher to bed. It means a nice holiday for us but I do not think that I’ll like the English Christmas very much. It’s more a kind of our Carnival and I shall not like the kissing underneath the mistel-toe!! [sic] But never mind I cannot alter it. –

I’m very sorry for you that you have such a lot to do and that you are not able to read or play the violin. I myself have hardly any time to play the piano and I shall have to do a lot of exercises when I am back at Schwelm in order to remove the stiffness of my fingers. Last week I read a very nice book – the first book I’ve finished – I know that I ought to read much more but I cannot help it. I must do a lot of reading when I am back in Germany. Perhaps we can sometimes read a few pages together, those pages which value most in the books. What do you think about my proposal? Oh it will be nice when I am back in Germany at last – I hope so.

I was very glad to hear that the Silentium is flourishing and I hope for the best.

Last Saturday I bought a Xmas present for you – I hope you’ll like it. You cannot send me very much because of that damned duty. I think I’ll send the parcel to Schwelm and if there should be any duty to pay my parents will do it and then send the parcel to you.

Was my mother very worried because of the news from Hannover concerning my uncle and the money. Will you please tell me about that all?

Maria is going to a place near Kiel called “Kalifornien” to be a manager in a “Arbeitslager für erwerbslose Mädchen”.

Will you please give my kindest regards to your mother, sister and brother.

Much love and a big kiss

from Anneliese.