[Footnote 1: A name or word invented by Chekhov meaning "One who yawns
for a long time with pleasure."]
* * * * *
The crying of a nice child is ugly; so in bad verses you may recognize
that the author is a nice man.
* * * * *
If you wish women to love you, be original; I know a man who used to
wear felt boots summer and winter, and women fell in love with him.
* * * * *
I arrive at Yalta. Every room is engaged. I go to the "Italy"--not
a room available. "What about my room number 35"--"It is engaged." A
lady. They say: "Would you like to stay with this lady? The lady has
no objection." I stay in her room. Conversation. Evening. The Tartar
guide comes in. My ears are stopped, my eyes blindfolded; I sit and
see nothing and hear nothing....
* * * * *
A young lady complains: "My poor brother gets such a small
salary--only seven thousand!"
* * * * *
She: "I see only one thing now: you have a large mouth! A large mouth!
An enormous mouth!"
* * * * *
The horse is a useless and pernicious animal; a great deal of land has
to be tilled for it, it accustoms man not to employ his own muscles,
it is often an object of luxury; it makes man effeminate. For the
future not a single horse.
* * * * *
N. a singer; speaks to nobody, his throat muffled up--he takes care of
his voice, but no one has ever heard him sing.
* * * * *