Letter · 1891

To A. P. Lensky, 29 November 1891. Moscow.

А. П. ЛЕНСКОМУ, 29 ноября 1891 г. Москва.

Headnote

Written 29 November 1891 from Moscow to Alexander Pavlovich Lensky (1847–1908), the celebrated Maly Theatre actor and director with whom Chekhov corresponded on and off through the early 1890s over theatrical business and personal news.

Chekhov forwards a bill that the late V. P. Begichev’s son-in-law, Mr. Golubev, had asked him to pass on to A. M. Kondratyev, explaining that he does not have Kondratyev’s own address and so is routing it through Lensky. He then turns personal: he has been ill and housebound for some time, with influenza followed by a bad cough and a wheeze in his right lung, but says his health is improving and that his first outing will be to see Lensky. He notes he has heard Lensky is annoyed with him over something, insists his own warm feelings are unchanged, and closes with regards to Lensky’s wife, Lidia Nikolaevna.

29 November 1891. Moscow.
29 ноября 1891 г. Москва.
29 November.
29 ноябрь.
Dear Alexander Pavlovich, the late V. P. Begichev’s son-in-law, Mr. Golubev, has sent me a bill which he asked to be passed on to A. M. Kondratyev. But since I do not know Alexei Mikhailovich’s address, I am sending the bill to You for delivery to him.
Дорогой Александр Павлович, зять покойного В. П. Бегичева г. Голубев прислал мне счет, который просил передать А. М. Кондратьеву. Но так как адрес Алексея Михайловича мне неизвестен, то счет посылаю Вам для передачи по адресу.
I have long been ill, have long not gone out of the house, and have forgotten what fresh air and cold feel like. My affairs are on the mend, and soon I shall be going out, and the first thing I do will be to come to You. They say You are angry with me over something – well, I am as devoted to You in spirit as ever, and it would be a great pleasure for me to see You. I had influenza, and after it a desperate cough and a wheezing in my right lung.
Я давно уже болен, давно уже не выхожу из дому и забыл, что значит свежий воздух и холод. Дела мои пошли на поправку, и скоро я стану выходить, и первым делом – к Вам. Говорят, Вы на меня сердитесь за что-то, ну, а я по-прежнему всей душой расположен к Вам, и для меня было бы большим удовольствием повидаться с Вами. У меня была инфлуэнца, а после нее отчаянный кашель и скрипенье в правом легком.
My regards to Lidia Nikolaevna.

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To A. P. Lensky, 29 November 1891. Moscow.

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