Letters of Anton Chekhov (Tchekhov) - Penn State University

Letters of Anton Chekhov to His Family and Friends with biographical sketchMELIHOVO, March 23, 1895.I told you that Potapenko was a man very full of life, but you didnot believe me. In the entrails of every Little Russian lie hiddenmany treasures. I fancy when our generation grows old, Potapenkowill be the gayest and jolliest old man of us all.By all means I will be married if you wish it. But on these conditions:everything must be as it has been hitherto—that is, she mustlive in Moscow while I live in the country, and I will come and seeher. Happiness continued from day to day, from morning to morning,I cannot stand. When every day I am told of the same thing, inthe same tone of voice, I become furious. I am furious, for instance,in the society of S., because he is very much like a woman (“a cleverand responsive woman”) and because in his presence the idea occursto me that my wife might be like him. I promise you to be asplendid husband, but give me a wife who, like the moon, won’tappear in my sky every day; I shan’t write any better for being married….Mamin-Sibiryak is a very nice fellow and an excellent writer. Hislast novel “Bread” is praised; Lyeskov was particularly enthusiasticabout it. There are undoubtedly fine things in his work, and in hismore successful stories the peasants are depicted every bit as well asin “Master and Man.”This is the fourth year I have been living at Melihovo. My calveshave turned into cows, my copse has grown at least a yard higher,my heirs will make a capital bargain over the timber and will call mean ass, for heirs are never satisfied.332