Much time has passed since I
received your last letter. Please don't hold that against me; first it was
work, then a number of interruptions, and finally poor health that again and
again kept me from answering, because I wanted my answer to come to you out of
peaceful and happy days. Now I feel somewhat better again (the beginning of
spring with its moody, bad-tempered transitions was hard to bear here too) and
once again, dear Mr. Kappus, I can greet you and talk to you (which I do with
real pleasure) about this and that in response to your letter, as well as I
can.