I went to Svobodin's name-day party with her yesterday. She sang gipsy songs, and created such a sensation that all the great men kissed her hand. Rumours have reached me that Lidia Stahievna is going to be married par depit. Is it true? Tell her that I shall carry her off from her husband par depit. I am a violent man. Has not anything been collected for the benefit of the Sahalin schools?

In the company of such persons one has a stupid schoolboy feeling of wanting to be rude. The village priest often comes and pays me long visits; he is a very good fellow, a widower, and has some illegitimate children. Write or there will be trouble.... MELIHOVO, October 10, 1892. Your telegram telling me of Svobodin's death caught me just as I was going out of the yard to see patients.