Wednesday, 20 September 1876 (8 September) — Gaming and Rural Boredom

Cards, always cards!
I tried to amuse myself by going to watch the cows pi... Fie! What a word! What would you have — it is the truth; it is all I saw in the dairy shed.
[Blacked out: Michel] and Paul brought Kapitan along. I think I am falling back on the Prince — he kisses my hands and I play cards with my right hand while stroking his hair with my left.
It [disgusts me] to say: I am bored — and yet I want to say it. If only Pacha were here.