Correspondence with Edith Maryon 1912–1924

GA 263 — 5 August 1923, Ilkley

Letter to Edith Maryon

Rudolf Steiner to Edith Maryon

Ilkley, Hillside, August 5, 1923

My dear Edith Maryon!

I am well; I will now tell you the story of my delayed arrival. We, Frau Dr., Mr. Pyle, Dr. Wachsmuth and I travelled in proper fashion from Stuttgart to Oldenzaal, the first station in Holland. There I was taken out because they wanted to inspect the registered luggage at customs. I then went through the station barrier, and there my passport was requested. However, the man held back Frau Doktor's passport, which had remained in the train, and said that he had to see it himself face to face. Therefore, he would bring the passport to the train. I then went to the train with my passport. However, Frau Doktor's passport was not there until the train was about to depart. I put on my greatcoat – mind you, I didn't leave without my greatcoat – and wanted to check on the passport. But lo and behold, the train pulled out. Dr. Wachsmuth were on the train; I was left behind in Oldenzaal. I quickly asked what had happened to the passport. It was also on the train. So everything was fine. Only I was not there. So I quickly called the stationmaster at the next stop and told him to have the escaped men get off the train after all; I would follow them on the next train to Almelo. The train to follow was already there. I got on and met Dr. Wachsmuth and Mr. Pyle in Almelo. Now all four of us had to stay in Almelo. We got good rooms; there was also a wedding at the hotel, people were shouting, dancing, a terrible spectacle.

We only continued the next day to Hook van HollandHarwich. From there directly to Ilkley, where we arrived Saturday evening with a 24-hour delay. The delay didn't do anything except keep us from getting to London. So I have to rely on the snow [snuff] coming by letter.

So this trip was romantic. Thank you for the letter that I found here. I am pleased to see that things are not too bad there and hope that things will get better and better. Tonight I am supposed to have the first lecture. Today, despite the romantic journey, I am sufficiently rested. One is already quite in the English north here. From there I send

warmest greetings

Rudolf Steiner