Arandon 22 January 1940

My dear Lore,

I received you two letters for which I thank you.  I could not answer sooner because I received a letter with 100 frs from Mr Bergenthal and another letter from a Mr. Kronenberger in Luxembourg.  He sent me 350 frs but I can’t recall ever having heard his name.  Do you happen to know him?  Well, I had to answer them and I couldn’t write to you earlier.  I understood that the money which had been sent to me was blocked because I am an internee. I was very happy to receive this money and you will understand this well.  Last week I wrote to Uncle Max and I told him that there is a new law for foreigners.  Every foreigner who seeks the right to asylum in France is obliged to enlist in the army.  I wrote Uncle Max all this and asked him to enlist me.  But, whilst awaiting his answer, I had to sign the enlistment form and I did this like almost all my friends.  Since I can no longer write to Uncle Max, I ask you to send him a letter explaining all this.

Now I want to answer your two letters.  There is no need to send me a parcel because I have already received everything I need from Mme Lochon.  I was very happy to know that you received such lovely presents.  I like your writing paper very much and your dress even more.  Is this a silk dress?  Your school report is really very good but there are a few words I did not understand.  What does it mean: Gospel and Acts?  These were the only words I did not know.  Were you again first?  I also received the two answer coupons for which I thank you.  I am sending this letter to the school because you wrote that school starts on 23 January.  I shall write to you again when I have your answer.  I also sent a long letter to Oma and Opa through the Red Cross in Geneva.  I hope soon to receive an answer from them.  I often play chess and I have learned a lot.  Do you still remember when we played together?  Have all your friends returned to school?  I can’t think of anything else to say and so I will finish this letter.

Lots and lots of love from Oswald

Did you have a pleasant holiday?