I await a short note from you in reply to my long letter*. It is necessary to think over the new system of work in advance and in a state of complete freshness. Favourable news has been received about Rykov; the operation went successfully, although it was very serious, there is no danger, but he will not arrive for at least several weeks, as he needs a lengthy period to regain his strength. I would like to have the new system of work fully set up by the time he arrives. 257

Lenin

Dictated by telephone

1 February 1922

Published for the first time,

from a typewritten copy