PETERSBURG, October 18, 1896.
I am setting off to Melihovo. I shall be there tomorrow between one or two o’clock in the afternoon. Yesterday’s adventure did not astonish or greatly disappoint me, for I was prepared for it by the rehearsals—and I don’t feel particularly bad.
When you come to Melihovo bring Lika with you.
TO HIS BROTHER MIHAIL.
PETERSBURG, October 18, 1896.
The play has fallen flat, and come down with a crash. There was an oppressive strained feeling of disgrace and bewilderment in the theatre. The actors played abominably stupidly. The moral of it is, one ought not to write plays.
TO A. S. SUVORIN.
MELIHOVO, October 22, 1896.