To Al. P. Chekhov, 25 February 1889. Moscow.

1 Written from Moscow on 25 February 1889 to Chekhov’s older brother Alexander Pavlovich Chekhov, a journalist working in Petersburg (chiefly for Suvorin’s "New Time"/"Novoye Vremya") and Chekhov’s regular intermediary there for practical and publishing errands. The letter is a short, brusquely comic point-by-point reply, opening with a mock-formal salutation that plays on Alexander’s actual civil rank.

2 Chekhov addresses Alexander by his real bureaucratic title, "Mr. Provincial Secretary" ("Г. губернский секретарь"), and announces that he has thrown Alexander’s letter in the privy – comic abuse typical of their fraternal correspondence, not to be read as an actual rupture. He then answers "by points": (1) instructions about a possible farmstead purchase Alexander had floated, asking for a serious budget and acreage before Chekhov will look into it further; (2) a firm refusal to accept copies of "Twilight" ("Сумерки," Chekhov’s 1887 story collection, published by Suvorin) bound with "A. N. Chekhov" on the cover instead of the correct name, instructing Alexander to refuse such copies too and to scold whoever is responsible; (3) a further aside urging Alexander not to be shy about pressing the author’s interests at the bookshop, since doing so also serves Suvorin’s firm; and (4) a note that no copy of a power of attorney is needed, since Chekhov’s plays will not be staged again soon after Easter, so the document’s use is moot for now. He closes with family news: reassurance about the health of Alexander’s children, a note that Alexander’s partner N. A. is unwell and should mind her stomach, sarcastic "regards" repeating the family’s low opinion of Alexander, word that their brother Nikolai has "vanished" (i.e., gone off somewhere, unlocatable), and notice of two marriages – ending with a mock-envious remark that even long-unmarried holdouts are finding spouses this year. He signs off in the French form "Antoine," his customary jocular signature to this brother.