I am very surprised in your brother. . .I knew he had come to visit (though, of course, all of this happens in the past. . .the posts are so slow) but didn't imagine he would behave in such a manner. We all tell your mother that you are fine and that she need not worry. It is hard to explain to her that your reasons for being in prison are other than criminal. I feel she imagines you a bank robber! I suspect that might please you, no? Her health incidentally is well for a woman of her age so, if Mario insists on dragging her out your way, I don't think you have to worry for her. . .though of course it will be trying to travel so far to see you locked away.
I'm also sorry to notice that you took my dream in such a way. I'm sure there is not as much to it as you seem to claim. Perhaps it came from some of the strange food here, or the cold. The climate is so different, it is little wonder that one would begin to imagine fantasies and fantastic creatures while sleeping. The deer-dog is just one of the things that I expect might climb into my head as I sleep. Have I told you about the bears?
Do you remember that circus which passed through here? There was, among other things, a dancing bear in their number. I didn't see it, but posters were all over town. They featured the bear, Muirka I think was its name, with deep brown fur and a tiny pink dress. Very strange. Do you think, Antonio, that the bear likes to dance or was it trained to do so? Of course it was trained, but does the training necessitate violence on the part of the trainer? I can imagine ways to make animals do all sorts of things which might not require whip or chair. For instance, one could work out pullies attached to the bear's arms and legs. It needn't be chains you see, but rather padded cuffs and elastic ropes which would, to a point, move with the bear. The ropes would, via the pullies, connect to an automaton which looked like and was the same size as the bear. When the bear moved, the automaton would mimic its movements; when the trainer moved the automaton, the bear would be impelled to move along with it. Thus, the bear would both see and feel the motions the trainer wished it to imitate, and in this way the bear would learn from the example of not merely another dancing bear, but from itself how to dance. I hope you are not bored with my thoughts about the bears. I have had many strange thoughts lately. Perhaps it is in confinement I am interested. Or distance.
You are always in my thoughts, Antonio.
The pictures of the boys and myself are included.
Much love,
Guilia
We are reminded of the dwarf beneath the table who powers Benjamin's chess-player in oriental silks.
