DOC.
26
JULY
1914
35
26. To
Elsa
Einstein
[Berlin]
Sunday.
[26
July
1914][1]
Dear
Else,
Today
I’m
already writing you
the
first
letter,
dear
one,
to
make
up
for
the
briefness of
the
farewells.[2] There
is
already something eminently
important to
report.
My
wife
requested
from Haber
a
final
meeting
with
me
before her
depar-
ture. On
this
occasion
we
determined
that
Miza
is to
remain in Zurich
with both
children,
and all
the
conditions down to
the
specifics were
laid down in
writing.
It
lasted three
hours. The
way
to
a
divorce
has also
been smoothed.[3]
Now
you
have
proof
that
I
can
make
a
sacrifice for
you.[4]
What
you
have suffered in the
last
few
days
has made such
an
impression
on me
that
I
couldn’t act in
any
other
way,
despite
the
children.
Although
Haber had
rather
discouraged
than
encouraged me,
I
do believe
that
he does
secretly agree
with
me
after
all.
I must
admit that
I feel
a
bit
crushed;
do
you
understand?
Some time
will
have
to
elapse
before I
am
again calmly
in
possession
of
myself.
Such
an
affair
is
bit
similar
to
a
murder!
But
I
came
to
realize
that
living
together
with
the
children
is
no
blessing
if
the
woman
stands
in
the
way.
Tomorrow
they
will
probably
leave;[5]
I
hope
I’ll
be able
to
see
my
boys
one more
time!
After
the
meeting
at
Haber’s[6] I
drove to
your parents,
who didn’t
come
home
until after
11 o’clock, though,
and received
the
news
not
without
a
mild
distaste.
Tonight
I’m
sleeping
in
your
bed!
It
is
peculiar
how
confusedly
sentimental
one
is.
It
is just
a
bed
like
any other,
as
though
you
had not
yet ever slept
in it.
And
yet
I find it
comforting
that
I
may
lay
myself
in
it,
somewhat
like
a
tender
confidence.
Dear
little
Else,
have
a
good
rest
with
your
children and write
me soon.
You
will
help
me
gradually
to
regain my composure
and
confidence
after the
serious
operation.[7]
It
is
really good
that
you
are
not
here at
the
moment,
because
other-
wise
the
severity
of
the situation would hit
you very
hard. For the
present
I cannot
think
of
visiting you,
for fear
of
damaging your good
reputation
again.
Also,
in
the
next
few
weeks
my company
is
not conducive to summertime recreation.
I
shall
attempt
to
overcome
these difficult first
weeks
by working
busily.
Kisses from
your
Albert.
Best
regards
to Ilse and
Margot.[8]