Letters of Anton Chekhov (Tchekhov) - Penn State University

Anton ChekhovTO HIS COUSIN, MIHAIL CHEKHOV.TAGANROG, May 10, 1877.… If I send letters to my mother, care of you, please give them toher when you are alone with her; there are things in life which onecan confide in one person only, whom one trusts. It is because ofthis that I write to my mother without the knowledge of the others,for whom my secrets are quite uninteresting, or, rather, unnecessary…. My second request is of more importance. Please go on comfortingmy mother, who is both physically and morally broken. Shehas found in you not merely a nephew but a great deal more andbetter than a nephew. My mother’s character is such that the moralsupport of others is a great help to her. It is a silly request, isn’t it?But you will understand, especially as I have said “moral,” i.e., spiritualsupport. There is no one in this wicked world dearer to us thanour mother, and so you will greatly oblige your humble servant bycomforting his worn-out and weary mother ….33