Poor Folk

Chapter 18

I have spoken of Rataziaev's "The Station Overseer". However, the

author has told me that the work is old-fashioned, since,

nowadays, books are issued with illustrations and embellishments

of different sorts (though I could not make out all that he

said). Pushkin he adjudges a splendid poet, and one who has done

honour to Holy Russia. Read your book again, Barbara, and follow

my advice, and make an old man happy. The Lord God Himself will

reward you. Yes, He will surely reward you.--Your faithful

friend,

MAKAR DIEVUSHKIN.

MY DEAREST MAKAR ALEXIEVITCH,--Today Thedora came to me with

fifteen roubles in silver. How glad was the poor woman when I

gave her three of them! I am writing to you in great haste, for I

am busy cutting out a waistcoat to send to you--buff, with a

pattern of flowers. Also I am sending you a book of stories; some

of which I have read myself, particularly one called "The Cloak."

. . . You invite me to go to the theatre with you. But will it

not cost too much? Of course we might sit in the gallery. It is a

long time (indeed I cannot remember when I last did so) since I

visited a theatre! Yet I cannot help fearing that such an

amusement is beyond our means. Thedora keeps nodding her head,

and saying that you have taken to living above your income. I

myself divine the same thing by the amount which you have spent

upon me. Take care, dear friend, that misfortune does not come of

it, for Thedora has also informed me of certain rumours

concerning your inability to meet your landlady's bills. In fact,

I am very anxious about you. Now, goodbye, for I must hasten away

to see about another matter--about the changing of the ribands on

my bonnet.

P.S--Do you know, if we go to the theatre, I think that I shall

wear my new hat and black mantilla. Will that not look nice?