Letters of Anton Chekhov (Tchekhov) - Penn State University

Anton Chekhovto the Zemsky Natchalnik, E. P. Yegorov, or to A. P. Chekhov, or tothe editor of such and such papers. We need only to write at somelength. Write in full detail, I will add something, and the thing willbe done. We must ask for subscriptions and not for loans. No onewill come forward with a loan; it is uncomfortable. It is hard togive, but it is harder still to take back.I have only one rich acquaintance in Moscow, V. A. Morozov, alady well-known for her philanthropy. I went to see her yesterdaywith your letter. I talked with her and dined with her. She is absorbednow in the committee of education, which is organizing reliefcentres for the school-children, and is giving everything to that.As education and horses are incommensurables, V. A. promised methe co-operation of the committee if we would start centres for feedingthe school-children and send detailed information about it. Ifelt it awkward to ask her for money on the spot, for people beg andbeg of her and fleece her like a fox. I only asked her when she hadany committees and board meetings not to forget us, and she promisedshe would not ….If any roubles or half-roubles come in I will send them on to youwithout delay. Dispose of me and believe me that it would be a realhappiness to me to do at least something, for so far I have doneabsolutely nothing for the famine-stricken peasants and for thosewho are helping them.285