To A. S. Lazarev, 2 February 1892. Moscow.

dateline, a short-form repeat of the date, the body, a closing invitation, the signature, and a final postscript-like line giving his return date. Dated 2 February 1892, from Moscow.

A brisk practical note to Alexander Semyonovich Lazarev, writing as "Gruzinsky", the writer and Chekhov’s regular correspondent. Chekhov announces he is leaving for Voronezh Province, where he has just begun the purchase of an estate (the future Melikhovo), and gives the third-class train fare. He asks Lazarev to find out, through a contact named Mikhailov, whether he can borrow up to 1,500 rubles, and asks for word on the outcome before he returns. He closes with a brief well-wish, an invitation to visit, his signature, and a note that he expects to be away 7–10 days.