Tuesday
My Lord Prince,
Nothing has changed, except she did explore the house today, although she asked no questions, not even about the family portraits she found in the library. In the afternoon she walked to the village, but found it empty, since the harvesting has begun. She refused the use of one of your horses for this excursion. Rodion accompanied her, since she seems less hostile to him than anyone else. The purpose of her visit was to apologize to Savva and Parasha for taking their horse.
Your servant,
Vladimir Kirov
Wednesday
My Lord Prince,
This morning the young miss took two books from the library and spent the remainder of the day in her room reading. Marusia still cannot get her to talk, and she looks at me as if I’m not there.
Your servant,
Vladimir Kirov
Thursday
My Lord Prince,
She stayed in her room the entire day reading, not even coming out to eat. When Marusia took her meals to her, she reported that the miss seemed more distracted than usual.
Your servant,
Vladimir Kirov
Friday
My Lord Prince,
Today the young miss disturbed the entire household with her demands. She wanted every servant brought before her to relate his or her duties and when she was finished, she informed me that Novii Domik has too many servants doing useless jobs and that I should find them more worthwhile employment.
Her attitude is much improved, if you can call a return to her imperious nature an improvement. Marusia swears her depression is finally over. Even her peculiar habit of talking to herself has returned.
Your servant,
Vladimir Kirov
Saturday
My Lord Prince,
The young miss spent most of the day watching the villagers work in the fields and even tried helping, though she stopped when she realized she was only in the way. When Parasha invited her to the communal bath, she declined, yet on returning to the house, she made use of your steamroom and even had cold water poured on her afterward. Her laughter over this experience was contagious. Nearly everyone was seen smiling afterward.
Your servant,
Vladimir Kirov
Sunday
My Lord Prince,
After church, your account books were delivered to the young miss’s room at her request. You were right, my lord. She couldn’t resist the challenge for long.
Your servant,
