Letters of Anton Chekhov (Tchekhov) - Penn State University

Anton ChekhovVesuvius do not seem fascinating. After being in India and China Idid not see a great difference between other European countriesand Russia.A neighbour of ours, the owner of the renowned Otrad, Count X,is staying now at Biarritz, having run away from the cholera; hegave his doctor only five hundred roubles for the campaign againstthe cholera. His sister, the countess, who is living in my section,when I went to discuss the provision of barracks for her workmen,treated me as though I had come to apply for a situation. It mortifiedme, and I told her a lie, pretending to be a rich man. I told thesame lie to the Archimandrite, who refuses to provide quarters forthe cases which may occur in the monastery. To my question whatwould he do with the cases that might be taken ill in his hostel, heanswered me: “They are persons of means and will pay you themselves….” Do you understand? And I flared up, and said I did notcare about payment, as I was well off, and that all I wanted was thesecurity of the monastery …. There are sometimes very stupid andhumiliating positions.... Before the count went away I met his wife.Huge diamonds in her ears, wearing a bustle, and not knowing howto hold herself. A millionaire. In the company of such persons onehas a stupid schoolboy feeling of wanting to be rude.The village priest often comes and pays me long visits; he is a verygood fellow, a widower, and has some illegitimate children.Write or there will be trouble ….311