Stuk 131 - Letter from Maria Germanova to Elizabeth Trevelyan

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5 rue Denfort Rochereau, Boulogne s[ur]/Seine. - Wonderful that there is peace for Christmas. Was in a 'Uni-Prix' shop, a 'sort of "Woolworth"' in Boulogne yesterday; there were many children there and it was very touching to see their 'joy and admiration of "père Noel"'. A[ndré: her son] and B[ev: his wife] are not coming to stay, but will be ski-ing at Grindelwald; her sister is in Germany, so they are 'alone with old Rex [the dog]'. They will not feel lonely since she is now working in the Russian theatre; it is a joy to help the other actors and be useful; [her husband] Alexandre Petrovitch helps her and is interested to see the public who come to performances: the older ones 'weep very much' and the younger ones laugh a great deal'; 'joy is needed nowadays'. Is working on a new play, and the theatre is also putting on "Uncle Vanya" again: Chekhov's plays are 'always so liked'. Has seen fragments of his letters to his wife, and it is strange 'how unlike him they are. They are not simple, natural' and cannot be compared with the letters of Pushkin and Tolstoy, and are as if he is 'all the time playing, hiding himself'; a friend who knew him suggested this was his wife's influence; she always felt uneasy leaving him in the Crimea to act in Moscow'. Is not happy about playing "Uncle Vanya" again, as she feels too old for the part of Helena; asks Bessie if she could possibly send any old dresses she does not need for her costume. Bob sent her a very nice letter and she is working well since he told her not to 'hurry so much': will send two more chapters to Rudker [John Rodker?] tomorrow, and has handwritten four more; now one more remains to be written about America. Her days are very full with rehearsals and writing; thanks God that her 'heart is so clever'; thinks work is the best medicine for it. Asks Bessie if she hasread any of the translation of her book, as she is anxious to know what she thinks.