Freud_Burlingham_1943_War_and_Children_k_text

PatrickPatrick, a boy of three years and two months,of pleasing appearance, well built and ratherbig for his age, was sent to us after one unsuccessfulattempt at evacuation tothe country.In the billet where he had been placed, he had,as the report stated, "fretted" so much for hismother that he was sent back to her after avery few days.short duration.Unluckily their reunion was ofHe contracted measles and hadto suffer another enforced separation from hismother. After dismissal from hospital shebrought him directly to us since she had beenwarned not to take him after illness to theTube station where she herself was sleepingregularly with her husband. She admonishedhim to be "a good boy", and promised to visithim if he would promise not to cry for her.The state of affairs that devleoped after sheleft was a most unhappy one. Patrick triedto keep his promise and was not seen crying.Instead he would nod hishead whenever any-himself andone looked at him and assuredanybody who cared to listen with the greatestshow of confidence that his mother wouldcome for him, that she would put on his overcoatand would take him home with her again.Whenever a listener seemed to believe himhe was satisfied; whenever anybody contradictedhim, he would burst into violent tears.99