Cooper, Ethel – May 1917
6.5.17
It was very cold till last Monday, then suddenly quite hot, really summer heat – there was not a bud or a leaf on the trees when the warmth suddenly began.
13.5.17
I have seen the lawyer and the police this week and they have both heard that I am most probably to get my pass in a few days! I am in such a state of inward excitement that I can scarcely wait with my packing any longer. I have said nothing yet except to the two or three people for whom I can do something if I do get out, and I am memorizing addresses for them with the things I have to write about for them.
I scarcely dare to hope that the next time I write will be from the other side of the frontier, but it almost looks like it now.
20.5.17
My hopes and preparations have come to nothing for my pass was definitely refused yesterday. I asked for the reason, but was told that no reason need be given me. I don’t know when anything has disappointed and upset me so much. I am convinced they have nothing really against me – as a matter of fact, in spite of all denunciations and police surprises, they have found nothing. There was nothing to find but one thing, and if they had had the least inkling of that, I should not be sitting here writing to you now.
I have had to take my aluminium kitchen things to the Rathaus, as all aluminium has been called in.
27.5.17
I am spending a few days with Mrs. Jaeger again and enjoying it extremely. We live most sumptuously on what little produce is sent in from her country house, and on a hamper which her husband sends every week from that unfortunate Poland.
I have another plan for getting away, and went again to my lawyer yesterday. I am getting him to write to Berlin to the Dutch Embassy, to say that they must either take steps to get me away, or they must pay for my support here! Don’t you think that sounds rather good?
