To A. M. Yevreinova, 8 February 1889. Moscow.

1 Written from Moscow on 8 February 1889 to Anna Mikhailovna Evreinova, the jurist who was publisher and editor-in-chief of "Severny Vestnik" (previously established in this corpus, e.g.), this is a short business note dated twice in the source (a full dateline in, then a shorthand "8 Feb." repeated in, apparently a heading carried over from the manuscript).

2 After the double dateline, Chekhov asks Evreinova to have the proofs of "Ivanov" sent to him as quickly as possible, in at least three copies, since two are needed for transcription to meet heavy demand from the provinces and the theatrical library will be distributing manuscript copies from them (3). He jokes that with Lent approaching he will set aside playwriting and return to writing prose fiction for "Severny Vestnik," adding that the turbulence of his recent playwriting has thrown him off his routine but that he is now recovering it (4). He promises to write again about "Ivanov" and hopes the play will weary others as much as it has worn on him (5), sends greetings to Evreinova’s household and to her (6), and signs off (7). A postscript jokes about dreaming of squandered fortunes and proposing marriage by telegram, the prospective bride to judge him from a studio photograph (8), followed by a further apology for sending the letter on a stained sheet, explaining he has no time to recopy it and, in any case, has run out of paper (9).