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11 February   Paris

Dear Shu, I was very much touched by your letter of January 15 and thank you for writing the news to me direct -- since I am more of less at the tail end of the grapevine.
Your decision, which you rather clearly indicated last September, was thus not too much of a surprise. But naturally I am a bit saddened and who isn't? In your letter of resignation you used the words "an emotional investment" and that is certainly true, but more poignant to me is the fact that you also have left a large sized chip of your heart. The early years of your maturity and during which you slaved to create the now famous KAI certainly had many manifestations: an indelible mark in the post-war development of furniture and interior design -- and a similar one in your personal development; I feel that this letter will bring you great happiness once the wrench of breaking off goes into the limbo. As you write, it must be true that you feel relieved of a great burden and your way should be sunny and rewarding and bring contentment. To have continued your association would never yield that. And after all, one can't go on forever -- it had to come some time as a result of "les evénements" and I admire you for taking the bull by the horns in your direct, inimitable way. More power to you, Shu. But somehow and after these now eleven years on this side you will always be there. It goes without saying that you landed the best and most charming client and you must keep me informed on all the exciting things you are about to undertake.

And now to you and Hood Em and I again send thanks for your part in the TV which came a week ago today. It is all a little overwhelming but you both can guess the pleasure it is bringing us. One of these machines had almost never entered my head -- it was just something aside, like a car or a yacht, and to which I never aspired ownership. But these grey, drippy and dopey days of midwinter are now lightened with a look at something else. For Em, many long and perhaps lonely hours are filled -- for me it lifts me out of my inclination to recede, be alone and let the rest of the world go by -- and I ain't really that ancient! Please know how very grateful we are and how we bless you both.

I should be getting up on the balcony to produce some "huevos rancheros" by way of evening fodder -- and I guess I'd better get going and hold back on my usual inclination to yak-yak a bit with you.

We both send love to you two.

Guillem