Dear Marion,

Last Tuesday evening at about 6 o'clock, Margaret and I
arrived in Belmont, back from our three weeks' stint in Detroit.
Probably it's just as well that I didn't take time to write,
but devoted myself entirely to clearing Margrit's apartment,
because more likely than not, I would soon have had regrets
and apologies for my words. My emotions are still very labile,
and my thoughts likewise. I'm certain about nothing except that
all efforts to find words for Margrit and for my feelings about
her are inadequate. The numerous telephone calls from her friends
are painful, reminding me as they do, how much more Margrit
cared for them than for me; and that it is now too late for
me to win her affection, although I tried very hard, and I 
can't imagine anything more or different that I could do if
she were still alive.

The three weeks in Detroit, sorting through Margrit's papers,
through her books, pottery, kitchenware, dresses and shoes,
packing the drawings and paintings with which she had decorated 
her apartments,  have impressed on me the urgent need to put in
order the house in Konnarock, as well as this house in Belmont,
and to do what I can to finish my Nantucket project. It's
unavoidable that these obligations should compete with my
desire to explore what I feel and what I think by writing.

Having sent letters to no fewer than nine financial institutions
with which Margrit recently did business, I finally found
time this evening to begin reviewing the legal arguments
that I will want to make at the hearing on February 10.
It's a relief to rediscover that the primary and the reply
brief that I submitted last year are quite complete and
require nothing more than to be summarized in a short speech.
I have no expectations that I will prevail, - but at this
juncture the outcome of the litigation doesn't seem especially
important.

Of the future, I have very low expectations. All I can 
venture to write is that I anticipate it to be very different
from the past. 

I hope you have been well and are surviving the Minnesota
winter in good spirits.

Jochen