Dear Cyndy,

Thank you for your telephone call and for your letter. About
an hour ago, I sent off to CreateSpace, the Amazon publisher,
the 4th volume of my novel Vier Freunde. They will send me the
proofs within 24 hours, which I'll then scan for major mistakes
before approving them and turning to something else. What that 
something else will be I don't yet know, perhaps only house-keeping 
and the eight patients scheduled for later this week. We are speaking 
more and more often about starting out to Konnarock some date soon 
after April 15. One task that remains to be taken care of is the 
application for my medical license renewal which is required well 
in advance of its expiration on June 27, my birthday. As of today
I haven't received the application forms.

There should be no problems about your, Elizabeth's and Jill's
staying here during the Harvard Graduation ceremonies.  Later this week,
I will mail you a key to the rear (kitchen) door of the house. It's
not necessary that you return the key. My only request is that you
not tag it with the address, so that if lost it won't invite any burglars.
It seems to me quite possible that we will be here at the time of your
visit. If not, I will be available to prompt you by telephone about
house-keeping details. Klemens will be available, and we will deputize
the grandchildren as needed. I anticipate no problems.

If I didn't get in touch with Joanna, it's because of the generation gap.
I suspect young people to be embarrassed by old age even when they are not
afraid of it; and I for my part am in no mood to apologize for the fact that
the house is a hundred years old, and I'm 83, no hearing, no teeth, very
balky hip joints and an unreliable memory. The social overhead, if you forgive 
that concept, seems to me disproportionately great. It's much easier to put
a few things in order and to sweep the floors than to explain and apologize
for the messiness and the dust.

A note about telephone numbers. You dialled 617-548-5768 - my cell phone number
which worked only because I happened to have the cell phone turned on. It's more
reliable to telephone 1-617-484-8109, the so-called landline, when you want to
talk to me.

Best wishes to Ned and to yourself.

Jochen