I did not comprehend his meaning at the time, only now am I beginning to understand.
In a work by an antique English writer—I forget his name—entitled: “The Tragedy of Hamlet the Dane,” this unhappy prince, persecuted by his enemies, pretends to be either a fool or a madman.
Is the Russian prince following Hamlet’s example? Has he not donned the hide of the simplest of the beasts?
It is rumoured that the Tsarevitch once had the courage to be candid with his father, and pleaded before him the people’s intense suffering. He has been in disgrace ever since.
February 23.
He tenderly loves his little daughter Natasha.
To-day he spent the whole of the morning sitting with her on the floor, building houses and huts out of small wooden logs. He crawled about on all fours, making believe to be a dog, a horse, a wolf. He played at ball, and when it rolled under the bed or cupboard he fetched it out again, covering himself with dust and cobwebs. He took her to his room, dandling her and showing her to everybody saying:—
“Is she not a fine girl? Where can you find another like her?”