2 February 192O  111 Harley Street  London W1

Dear Professor:

Your news today was a great shock to us both.  I have a vivid memory of Sophie, both from Holland and later on two or three occasions in Vienna, and last October I was very interested to see the photographs of her as a beautiful mother.  She was just the same age as my first wife, who was as beautiful, and I can imagine the terrible feelings of her poor husband left with such helpless children calling for their mother.  Kitty was also deeply moved.  She was in the same school class as Sophie.  It brought back the memory of their mutual friend, Herzl's niece, who died of influenzal pneumonia, as did Kitty's favourite young brother, a prisoner in Siberia.  She had pneumonia herself last year, and is somewhat apprehensive of the influenza epidemic now beginning again; it was terrible here last year.

Apart from these extensive personal associations, however, all of which enable us to feel the significance of the tragedy, it is yourself and your wife that occupy our main thoughts.  I know how exceptionally near to your heart all your children are, and it was a happy relief to me to hear that the war had left them all intact.  In the present situation no one knows better than yourself that there is no consolation.  It may, however, slightly relieve the desolation ‑‑ as I know myself ‑‑ to have the assurance that good friends are sharing your feelings in some degree, and are entering into them with the profoundest sympathy and respect.  That conviction you can surely have.

With my warmest regards to yourself and your wife Yours always affectionately  Ernest Jones.

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