Letter from Josefine Harms to Marie Schiele, 13th Dec. 1918

This is the second part of the letter, which begins with this sheet.

Transcription:

like Egon, today is not the first time
that I repeat to you that I opposed
the marriage with all the power of my
authority and was only forced to agree
because I was told that the alternative
was that it would happen with or
without my consent and I am certain that is
exactly what would have happened because,
as I’m sure you know, Egon was very
headstrong. As much as I respected his
character, I would not have wished him
to be my son-in-law. Because I have always
felt that artists should not marry; fortunately,
Egon was an exception as an artist as well
and my Edith was the right woman for him,
he told me so himself.
We alone know what sacrifices she made
to help Egon in the early days of his
military duties. He despaired so much
about his unworthy treatment in the military
in Neuhaus that he would have taken
his own life had Edith not done everything
in her power to keep him going.

The true ordeal for both of them
began only after Neuhaus, however;
I helped them as much as I could,
they did not reveal their concerns to you
since you could not have helped them anyway
but in confidence and between us, from
mother to mother, I want to tell you about
how these two good souls fought for their
existence; but these two distinguished people
were not fit to struggle constantly. Egon
easily made much money because
of his eminent talent and he knew how to enjoy
life, I am not surprised that the heirs are
disappointed.
I am not accountable for anything
you are missing, our maids
were notorious thieves but it is
possible that there was yet a third
thief involved! –
To conclude I cannot help but accuse
you of being unfeeling and tactless;
the eagerness with which you asked for
Edith’s fur and her bag, because your
own fur will no longer do for you and your
bag is impractical. This has really shaken
us, as have the words of your daughter

that Egon would not walk behind a cadaver,
I am sure he never said that, educated as he
was, because he knew
what that word meant.
With all the respect you deserve,
Yours,
Mrs. Jos. [Josefine] Harms.