 They had two sons, Matthias (known as "Max") and Evelyn ("Thorley").Mary von Holst was absorbed in theosophy and not greatly interested in domestic matters.All four of Adolph's sons were subject to what one biographer calls "benign neglect", and Gustav in particular was "not overburdened with attention or understanding, with a weak sight and a weak chest, both neglected—he was 'miserable and scared'."