Poor Folk

Chapter 4

What will such a feeling not engender? To tell you the truth, I

had supposed that YOU were jesting in your letter; wherefore, my

heart was feeling heavy at the thought that you could feel so

displeased with me. Kind comrade and helper, you will be doing me

an injustice if for a single moment you ever suspect that I am

lacking in feeling or in gratitude towards you. My heart, believe

me, is able to appraise at its true worth all that you have done

for me by protecting me from my enemies, and from hatred and

persecution. Never shall I cease to pray to God for you; and,

should my prayers ever reach Him and be received of Heaven, then

assuredly fortune will smile upon you!

Today I am not well. By turns I shiver and flush with heat, and

Thedora is greatly disturbed about me. . . . Do not scruple to

come and see me, Makar Alexievitch. How can it concern other

people what you do? You and I are well enough acquainted with

each other, and one's own affairs are one's own affairs. Goodbye,

Makar Alexievitch, for I have come to the end of all I had to

say, and am feeling too unwell to write more. Again I beg of you

not to be angry with me, but to rest assured of my constant

respect and attachment.--Your humble, devoted servant,

BARBARA DOBROSELOVA.