| 53 | 54 | 55 | 56 | 57 |
| 1 | 38 | 77 | 115 | 153 |
|
speaks. I have for some time past felt anxious about his health.
PRINCESS. What did he write?
MARY IVÁNOVNA. This [reading] "You reproach me for upsetting our former
way of life, and for not giving you anything new in exchange, and not
saying how I should like to arrange our family affairs. When we begin to
discuss it we both get excited, and that's why I am writing to you. I
have often told you already why I cannot continue to live as we have
been doing; and I cannot, in a letter, show you why that is so, nor why
we must live in accord to Christ's teaching. You can do one of two
things: either believe in the truth and voluntarily go with me, or
believe in me and trusting yourself entirely to me--follow me." [Stops
reading] I can do neither the one nor the other. I do not consider it
necessary to live as he wishes us to. I have to consider the children,
and I cannot rely on him. [Reads] "My plan is this: We shall give our
land to the peasants, retaining only 135 acres besides the orchards and
kitchen-garden and the meadow by the river. We will try to work
ourselves, but will not force one another, nor the children. What we
keep should still bring us in about £50 a year."
PRINCESS. Live on £50 a year--with seven children! Is it possible!
MARY IVÁNOVNA. Well, here follows his whole plan: to give up the house
and have it turned into a school, and ourselves to live in the
gardener's two-roomed cottage.
5
5
Page
Quick Jump
|