To I. P. Chekhov, 23 May 1888. Sumy.
И. П. ЧЕХОВУ, 23 мая 1888 г. Сумы.
Headnote
1 Written from the Lintvaryov estate near Sumy on 23 May 1888 to Chekhov’s brother, the schoolteacher Ivan Pavlovich Chekhov, during the family’s first summer there.
2 A brisk family note. The poet Aleksei Pleshcheev and the musician Aleksandr Ivanenko are visiting; Chekhov and Ivanenko (not Ivan) have played some prank he promises to describe in person. He thanks Ivan for hooks, books, and a fishing rod, asks him to bring a second rod and the artist Kramskoy’s letters, reports a good day’s fishing and a story sent off to Suvorin, and mentions a lively wedding nearby at Luka. He closes with regards, a note that passports are needed, and word that their younger brother Mikhail ("Mishka") has not yet arrived.
23 May.
23 май.
Pleshcheev and Ivanenko are staying with us. Ivanenko and I have gotten up to a comedy, which I’ll tell you about when you come.
У нас Плещеев и Иваненко. С Иваненко мы учинили комедию, о которой расскажу, когда приедешь.
Thank you for the hooks, the books, and the fishing rod. It wouldn’t hurt to bring one more rod, and Kramskoy’s letters, which are needed here.
Спасибо за крючки, книжки и удилище. Не мешало бы привезти еще одно удилище и письма Крамского, которые здесь нужны.
Today I caught two crucian carp in the pond and sent Suvorin a story. There’s nothing more to write about. Though yesterday there was a wedding at Luka with music: very curious.
Сегодня поймал в пруде двух карасей и послал Суворину рассказ. Больше писать не о чем. Впрочем, вчера на Луке была свадьба с музыкой: очень курьезно.
Regards to everyone.
Поклон всем.
Passports are needed.
Паспорты нужны.