ENGELS TO FERDINAND WOLFF” 
[Draft] 

[London,] end of October 1893 

You write to say that ‘I have disclosed...’. I do not know what hoary piece 
of gossip you are referring to and indeed this is a matter of the 

* Origin, see this volume, pp. 211 -° See this volume, pp. 208-9, 215 

utmost indifference to me. But when you start talking pompously about your 
‘silence’, it evidently implies the threat that you might now break that 
silence. In which case you have met your match. If it really is your intention 
to threaten me, I have only one answer and that is: ‘do your worst’. I don’t 
care two hoots whether you speak or hold your tongue. 

But what I cannot understand at all in how you came to write me such an 
inane letter. 

I can find me explanation for it other than the state of nervous tension you 
are in. Otherwise you would realise that such conduct would debar me 
absolutely from having any further contact with you until you have 
rehabilitated yourself in my eyes."