9–15 June 1856

Got up at nine. My back aches worse. Am reading Pushkin’s biography with pleasure. Am always considering A Landlord's Morning. Cannot be cheerful. Auntie badgers one. To-day she spoke about the inherit- ance left by the late M., and about intrigues, and how Strange Nikotenka is, he had been silent and “ said nothing ! ” It is depressing enough ! Thought of a letter to Bludov about the serfs, and drafted it. Rode to Gfmbut but did not find him at home. Addressed myself to the forest-keeper about my affair. Also in the bath-house spoke to Aleshka. In the evening reckoned up the working days. What absurd relational The^ exacl number of half the days (without counting the peasant holidays) is 10,500. For working the fields the maximum number wanted would be 5000 : yet it’s always the full number. In summer from May to October the numbers on paper tally exactly with the real position, but in winter there is nothing for the peasants to do, yet they dare not go away It’s as if two strong men are bound together by a chain, it is painful to them both, and when one of them moves he involuntarily cuts the other, and neither has room to work.

Got up at nine. The pain in my back gets worse and worse. Read Pushkin’s biography which I have finished. Walked about the Zakdz, and thought out one or two things : principally that Youth must be written in preference without abandoning the others : The Landlord's Morning , The Cossacks , and the comedy. The chief theme, at any rate for the latter, the debauched surroundings in the village. The proprietress with the footman, brother with sister, the father’s natural son with the father’s wife, etc. The keeper came, but did not find me in and it was too late afterwards. Was writing a note to D., but am afraid it is too affectionate. There was a meeting in the evening. They definitely refused to sign. The quit-tax will be discussed in autumn and I shall be in the country in the autumn. Whereas now I am free.

Rose at nine. Read Youth through. Terribly lazy. Gadded about, played patience, and read Piishkin. After dinner went to Ziseka, but the keeper did not turn up. Found the Gumbdtovs at my house. Chatted merrily with her and saw her home. She is nice. My back is getting worse and worse.

Got up at nine. Gadded about as before, and at noon went to Tdla. Felt awfully depressed at the hotel and had leeches applied. Seem rather better. Went to bee? late. Ie’s abominable that I am beginning to feel a quiet dislike for my Aunt in spite of her affection. One must learn to forgive triviality. Without that there can be neither affection nor happiness. Wrote to Nekrasov and received the Memoirs from Nikolenka. Read them. Delightful !

Got up at five. Went fishing, gadded about. . . . Read a charming story by N. There is a tremendous epic talent. Yesterday a soldier was found hanged in Zaseka. Rode to look at him. Met N. Very sweet, and I involuntarily forgive her her triviality. The soldier seenjed to be standing, his trousers tucked into his boots, a dirty shirt, cap turned inside out, overcoat thrown aside, legs strangely bent. Went home. Met N. again, she was sweet. My head ached terribly and I suffered for a long time : fell asleep and woke up at ten, before her departure. All the same she is sweet. Got on better with Auntie. Valerya has arrived. To-morrow I will call.on them. Spoke with A. M. to-day. She told me about a blind peasant who all the same works, turning some machine. From to-morrow I will go round to all the peasants, find out about their needs, and will try to persuade them separately to enter into contracts.

Got up at nine. Gadded about, went with Natalya Petrovna to Gimbut’s and to Arsenev’s. During lunch at Gfmbut’s the inquest-commission arrived. We were told that the Arsine vs had gone to Tdla. We decided to stay. N. N — a asked me to come for a walk in the wood. Gfmbut shouted that it was “ ineonvenable M ; N. N — a appeared not to hear him. He sent M. A. to me, and him- self came running and in the meanest and rudest manner in her presence asked me not to compromise her. I returned with him and went to the inquest. The clothing of the corpse — he was a young sixteen-year-old lad — was thickly covered with little yellow worms. When I returned I found that Natalya Petrovna had gone away. N. N. is horrid. Gi'mbut had suddenly got into a rage with Natilya Petrovna, called her a procuress, and driven her away. On reaching home I went fishing. A soldier came. I ran to Chep^zh. An abominable and a rascally woman. At about ten Diakov arrived. Chatted with him till three. Yes, he is my best friend and a fine one. Read Nikolenka’s tale. Burst into tears again, and when telling about the Cossack song did so once more. Am beginning to like the legendary epic manner. Will try to turn the Cossack song into a poem.