To L. Ya. Gurevich, 2 December 1891. Moscow.

Dated 2 December 1891, from Moscow, to Lyubov Yakovlevna Gurevich, editor and publisher of the journal "Severny Vestnik" ("Northern Herald").

Chekhov apologizes for having troubled Gurevich with a request for an advance, explaining that he mentioned the need for one in a letter to Mikhail Nilovich (Albov, the journal’s editor – see) only because he is entirely out of money. He is emphatic that she need not stand on ceremony: she may send his story fees whenever convenient, in however many installments she likes, now and in the future; if she sends about 200 rubles now, the rest can follow in March or later, in parts. He apologizes again, then turns to a joking aside about a pair of "piquant" telegrams exchanged between them – "permit me to leave my wife" and "leave your wife, agreed" – presumably a joint jest about retitling his story (referenced by Albov as "In the Village"), which must have baffled the telegraph office, but concludes the eventual title, "In the Country," is the better choice. He closes with good wishes and a formal but warm sign-off.

Tone: apologetic and financially candid at the start (money is, uncharacteristically for Chekhov, addressed head-on, with visible embarrassment), then light and teasing in the aside about the telegrams, closing on a warm, formal note.