11–17 July 1853

Yesterday wrote in the morning, dined at Masha’s, after dinner went home and slept till the morning. Wrote for five hours. The end of Boyhood is within sight — that is pleasant. I might even finish it to-day, so I will write all day. Wrote till dinner and after dinner from five till six. The end is near. Went to the Boulevard, to Masha, and from there to a tavern. There I drank, and spent 62 kopeks. Besides that, Aleshka2 spent 75 kopeks for boots, 12 for sulphur matches, for candles, 50 for a brush : which leaves 25-60. Owe V. 90 kop6ks, and 5 rubles for champagne. Must try to finish the rough copy of Boyhood to-morrow. Defended Teodorfna well, nobly. I am drunk.

Got up late, had excellent thoughts and wrote well, but little. Nikolenka came. Read him what I had written, and it seems good. Dined at Masha’s, slept there, went for a stroll, and went to sup at the Naytaki’s. I have spent the time uselessly and was dull. The indifference of my relatives torments me. I ate for a ruble and 30 kopeks, and owe them to Nikdlenka. Have done with luxuriating. To-morrow will^ get up early and write, and write till evening to finish Boyhood .