L E T T E R S

194criticized me for not drinking water, I would reply that I did drink water, for Idrank tea. Already you can see how I am beginning You can foresee themathematical truth of this beginning: Since I wrote to friends within our groupand also to Poland; and since you are a member of that group and of thatnation; therefore, I did, in fact, write to you.2. and 3. aside, it may be better to add 4. by way of parentheses. Wehad both better improve in relation to one another especially in view of the factthat, unfortunately, my stay outside the country has been extended, and I shallreturn to Poland only at the end of next year. "Unfortunately," since ourrelationship has never been as bad asit is now. Unceremoniously and without prelude: If it means skinning thedevil, steal or borrow; but you must send me enough money to last me for afew months. I will very definitely return it to you. Otherwise, I shall die ofdespair and hunger.Dear Joseph, I have jokingly made you a very material proposition. Infact, if I had started to write seriously, I do not know whether I could havebrought myself to write what is really the ultimate remedy 204 for me.I have only written to you once before - a short note in a letter tosomeone else. Here is my first letter to you, and for what purpose! As I loveyou, this is costing me a great deal. I have no place to knock.You are my only hope. I know that you will not take it as a crime thatthis last letter to you is also the first; and that, if you can, you will not refuse tohelp me. For, if you could only see my present economic situation!First, at the time of my departure from Poland, by reason ofcircumstances and problems that are known to you, I spent so much of thefunds allotted to me, that I had barely enough left for my journey. Havingarrived, therefore, living and clothes on credit. I receive my first sustenancecheck and I am forced to pay enormous debts. What remains204 He was truly in desperate circumstances, and was already thinking of suicide.