His Sister’s Debut and His Father’s Illness

Before the fall semester began in 1869, Gösta and Frits spent several weeks with the rest of the family on the island of Smådalarö, one of the pearls of the Stockholm archipelago. Gösta also visited Lennartsnäs. Young Samuel had still not recovered his full health, and his parents wanted him to spend the winter in the eternal summer of Egypt. The baroness asked Gösta if he might consider accompanying Samuel. The only remaining question was whether the doctors would advise such a long journey for Samuel. In his diary, Gösta admitted that he wanted to make the trip for reasons that included being present to witness the opening of the Suez Canal in mid-November. And the trip would be good for his health as well. The invitation seemed tempting, and Gösta felt both frustrated and filled with doubts as to whether to accept. He could probably do a little studying along the way, but at the same time he knew that it would be unwise to interrupt his studies at the university. Fortunately, he wasn’t forced to make a decision. The doctors who examined Samuel determined that his health had improved significantly over the course of the summer, and they thought he would get well without traveling to warmer climes. Gösta was “quite happy” when he heard the doctors’ verdict. He hadn’t told his parents anything about these plans. In his diary he remarked that his mother would undoubtedly have said yes, while his father would have certainly advised against such a journey.