A handwritten letter by Pesa Frydlender (married name: Kern, on her subject see the note to the letter MPOLIN-A50.1.4), written on two so-called blank pages, 3.5 pages written. Content (spelling and punctuation have been partly updated):
Warsaw, 26.XI. 38.
Dear Tad!
It's quite late – around 0:30. I just got back home, and since I absolutely don't feel like sleeping, and I have cigarettes[,] I threw myself on the couch and settled into the most comfortable position.
I have to start with your latest articles. Bravo, Tad, they are excellent, independent, and really stand out from the ones in October. I think you could try submitting your articles to other magazines, whether in Lviv or Kraków. I'm convinced they would be accepted, and I completely agree with your father on this. Your father probably already wrote to you that “Nasz Przegl[ąd]” (the “Our Review”) promised me they would pay you 25 zlotys per article. Returning to the report on my proxy activities, the Court has allocated 100 zlotys 40 groszy in the Messerfabrik PKO case. However, due to new foreign exchange regulations and the fact that Mr Garnfunkel is currently not a commissioner of Messerfabrik, the funds cannot be disbursed. I must deposit the money into a blocked account before 11 November this year. We have the right to a 10% offset for [?]. If you are entitled to anything, let me know. Your patron is inquiring when you'll be back, and I keep giving him evasive answers. On average, I have one or two hearings a week with Grynberg. I'm not overworking myself, but after each of his cases, I feel a disgust for our profession, and I don't blame you for losing interest in advocacy due to his practices.
I'm very interested in your doctoral course, Tad. How advanced are you? Regarding the French language, you probably effortlessly blend in with the Parisians. I read the letter to your friends; Samek even showed it to your father, who found your writing extremely amusing and couldn't understand why we consider it uncensored. Your old man is really growing on me, and I don't understand where this gloominess in you comes from (even though you're a lovely person), having a parent like that. However, I am becoming less fond of Tross, even though he tries to show his best side. He's a conceited snob, and somewhat intelligent. I know you have a different opinion. Moreover, he is convinced that T.P. [i.e. Tadeusz Perl] owes his 'journalistic career' to him. But that doesn't matter. Things are getting sadder here. The university [...] already has purple and red seals, or in other colours, but it stigmatises us with our cards in light holders while all others are in dark ones. Today was a 'Day without Jews' at the U.J. because supposedly some 'Jew-communist' group beat up a few National Democrats. I observed this unfolding from the tram, and the sight filled me with a lot of hope - - - From the Polish press, you are already familiar with the content of the latest decrees. A depressing impression, even in the Aryan society. You're right, Tad, that our task is to be fertiliser for future generations. But I allow myself the luxury of rebellion [?]. Over the past few weeks, Jews have been impressed by the German refugees. A patron who works for the committee told me stories where reality goes toe-to-toe with the most exuberant fantasy, occasionally taking on a grotesque character. In [...], where there is a shelter for the exiles, some man with a 9-month-old child is staying. When the intruders came for him at his home in Berlin and told him to go to the police, the child started crying, so he took it with him, thinking he would be back soon, but he returned to the bosom of Poland.
When they came for some engineer, assuming they wanted to requisition him for forced labour, he took off his good clothes and put on old, worn ones, left his coat at home, and was brought to us in torn and tattered clothing. Many have already died [?], misery, hunger, and disease are the companions of refugees. The foreign press probably writes extensively about it, censorship prevents it here, but you can't imagine that they could and would be able to convey this vast humiliation.
It's well past one o'clock, I've also run out of cigarettes, so I have to finish the letter.
Lately, things have been going somehow. I spend quite a bit of time in court, and I feel relatively well there, it's just a shame that it will have to be eliminated in the near future. You know, Tad, it turns out that being a t. adv.(trainee advocate?) is more convenient than a barrister. This week, I earned around 40 zlotys from professional matters, without overworking at all, and you were right to forbid me to work for K[...]. I feel much better. Sometimes I feel some pain, but it's negligible compared to last year. It's the result of regular and better nutrition, and daily 2-hour breaks. I look much better, even though I've just recovered from the flu, which knocked me down and left me with such a powerful cold that my patron suggests I should attach a handkerchief to my nose. Due to this cold, I missed the opportunity to earn 10 zlotys; I couldn't go for a visit to Babice, but I console myself that Mendelson earned it, a decent guy. Every time he spoke admiringly of your work, sending you greetings, and you know how important I felt, how I was bursting with pride on your behalf, Tadzik. Don't you think that reaping laurels from our colleagues for you falls within the scope of duties for the plenipotentiary, the T.P. secretariat for Poland?
Besides, I've been reading a lot lately, and it often happens that your friend reads until 5 in the morning. I'm [?] tempted [?] by "Fighting Angel" by Pearl S. Buck. I can't resist the temptation, enough gossip – for now, good night
Pestka
Work in the union is fine. I'm organising a section for producers, and it involves quite interesting work.
