18–24 August 1856

Still raining. Wrote, scribbled in the morning. Went to the bath in the evening and did nothing, though from to-day I wished to work not less than six hours a day at literature. Read a stupid novel by Eugene Sue.

Wrote little. Rode out with the dogs.

The same.

The same.

Finished the rough draft of the first half of Youih and thought out The Distant Field , the thought of which enchants me. Valdrya’s silence grieves me. Hunted down a hare to-day, which I knocked over.

Gfmbut came this morning. I had an explanation with him. Meant to revise but did not start on it. Began The Distant Field}

Went coursing first thing in the morning. Got three before coming to Melenfnov. Meeting with a peasant.