The Old Man is writing. I have read letters from Zemlyachka and Konyagin. Where he got the idea that I now see the congress as useless, Allah only knows. On the contrary, I continue to insist, as before, that this is the only honest way out, that only shortsightedness or cowardice can hide from this conclusion. I continue to insist, as before, that Boris, Mitrofan, and the Horse be sent here without fail—without fail, because people must see the situation for themselves (one that has developed especially after the Soviet sessions), and not spin

* This refers to one of the books by English writer William Stewart Ross (pseudonym: Saladin). Ed.