Chapter 13: June 22nd: My Dearest Barbara Alexievna

June 22nd: My Dearest Barbara Alexievna June 22nd. My dearest Barbara Alexievna—I have to tell you that a sad event has happened in this house—an event to excite one’s utmost pity. This morning, about five o’clock, one of Gorshkov’s children died of scarlatina, or something of the kind. I have been to pay the parents a visit of condolence, and found them living in the direst poverty and disorder. Nor is that surprising, seeing that the family lives in a single room, with only a screen t…