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Letters of Anton Chekhov (Tchekhov) - Penn State University

Letters of Anton Chekhov (Tchekhov) - Penn State University

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<strong>Letters</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Anton</strong> <strong>Chekhov</strong> to His Family and Friends with biographical sketchTO E. M. S.MOSCOW, November 19, 1891.HONOURED ELENA MIHAILOVNA,I am at home to all commencing, continuing, and concludingauthors—that is my rule, and apart from your authorship and mine,I regard a visit from you as a great honour to me. Even if it were notso, even if for some reason I did not desire your visit, even then Ishould have received you, as I have enjoyed the greatest hospitalityfrom your family. I did not receive you, and at once asked my brotherto go to you and explain the cause. At the moment your card washanded me I was ill and undressed—forgive these homely details—I was in my bedroom, while there were persons in my study whosepresence would not have been welcome to you. And so—to see youwas physically impossible, and this my brother was to have explainedto you, and you, a decent and good-hearted person, ought to haveunderstood it; but you were <strong>of</strong>fended. Well, I can’t help it ….But can you really have written only fifteen stories?—at this rateyou won’t learn to write till you are fifty.I am in bad health; for over a month I have had to keep indoors—influenza and cough.All good wishes.Write another twenty stories and send them. I shall always readthem with pleasure, and practice is essential for you.276

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