26–31 December 1853

Went shooting yesterday, killed a hare and two pheasants. Aleshka has not left yet and lam very glad of it, for my letter to my Aunt was not in accord with my first rule — it would have grieved her. This morning worked at the novel A Russian Landlord , only a little, but well. After dinner read the Invalide and began to write An Artilleryman' s Notes , but a stupid demand from Alexeev that I should send Aleshka to Stary-Urt, and then supper, distracted me. After supper chatted with Epfshka till the cock crowed.

On the 29th went shooting all day and killed nothing. Yesterday in the morning wrote The Story of a Russian Landlord , in the evening suffered from charcoal fumes, and slept. This morning wrote The Story of a Russian Landlord , in the evening went shooting, and to the baths. A/ter supper wrote letters to Valeri&n and to Tatiana Alexandrovna. Met the New Year over my letters and afterwards I prayed. Aleshka has left. I have received a letter from Valerian , and one from Mdsha which has altered my feeling towards her. The method I have adopted from the start, of writing only short chapters, is the most convenient. Each chapter should express only one thought and only one feeling.