Letters of Anton Chekhov (Tchekhov) - Penn State University

Letters of Anton Chekhov to His Family and Friends with biographical sketchBADENWEILER, June 12.I have been for three days settled here, this is my address—Germany,Badenweiler, Villa Fredericke. This Villa Fredericke, like allthe houses and villas here, stands apart in a luxuriant garden in thesun, which shines and warms us till seven o’clock in the evening(after which I go indoors). We are boarding in the house; for fourteenor sixteen marks a day we have a double room flooded withsunshine, with washing-stands, bedsteads, etc., with a writing-table,and, best of all, with excellent water, like Seltzer water. The generalimpression: a big garden, beyond the garden, mountains coveredwith forest, few people, little movement in the street. The gardenand the flowers are splendidly cared for. But to-day, apropos of nothing,it has begun raining; I sit in our room, and already begin to feelthat in another two or three days I shall be thinking of how toescape.I am still eating butter in enormous quantities and with no effect.I can’t take milk. The doctor here, Schworer, married to a Moscowwoman, turns out to be skilful and nice.We shall perhaps return to Yalta by sea from Trieste or some otherport. Health is coming back to me not by ounces but by stones.Anyway, I have learned here how to feed. Coffee is forbidden to meabsolutely, it is supposed to be relaxing; I am beginning by degreesto eat eggs. Oh, how badly the German women dress!I live on the ground floor. If only you knew what the sun is here!It does not scorch, but caresses. I have a comfortable low chair inwhich I can sit or lie down. I will certainly buy the watch, I haven’tforgotten it. How is Mother? Is she in good spirits? Write to me.Give her my love. Olga is going to a dentist here ….428