（一）
Alexander is back living with us in the house again. His health is getting worth day by day, but it is because he is still working hard until 2 to 3am every night. Sacrificing his health to the dedication of writing, I am proud of him. He inspires me even until this day, and that is how an intellectual must be! Not like my poor son who is consistently winy and bitter, lost in his love for the Yelena! I am not surprised she would rather fall for a mature man like Alexander rather than Jean. Talking about Jean, I still cannot believe how rude he was to me earlier today. I am not even here to ask for the respect of a mother but simply the respect a woman deserves. How dare he challenge my freedom of speech? I will say what I have to say and wish to say! And the only educative activity he use to perform before, reading Alexander’s book is today long lost as well… I am regretful that after translating for so many years Alexander’s work, Jean only seems to have understood words of the text and not the high morality of the author. I am more and more confused by the person Jean is turning into.
（二）
Finally some quality time with my inspiring booklets! I have no time for all the drama in this house. Such issues are so trivial compared to the pursuit of once success in one’s life. Oh! I must get back to my readings now…
（三）
Jean is out of his mind!! I have understood since a while that I cannot contain him anymore but I would never have imagined he could go this far! What a gentleman Alexander was gathering us around the table to discuss such serious issue, and all Jean could think of is him self, complaining about his pays for the past few years. Isn’t all the intellectual payback from working for Alexander enough? And for his defense, Alexander would never have sold the house and let us freeze on the street. He could never do this to us. Jean has simply been out of him self lately, not knowing when to stop talking and how to control his temper. I couldn’t believe my eyes when he pointed the gun towards Alexander. It was as rude as if he pointed that gun towards his dead father! I heart stopped for a second with the sound of the gunshot. Where did he find this gun anyways?… Anyhow, have he hurt Alexander I never would have forgiven him.
（四）
Alexander and his little family left after he made peace with Jean. This shows once more what a big hearted, genuine and mature man Alexander is. He never disappoints me and never will. On the other hand Jean, I am glade he has gotten back his common sense. He should consider himself lucky that it was Alexander, because no one else would have forgiven him such act that’s for sure! But now they are back on good terms and that is the most important. Jean could benefit from a good relationship with Alexander and some of his enlightenment in the future. Aaah I will miss Alexander as I know he will miss us. I understand and do not blame why he needs to leave. He is a man with conviction and needs to chase after his eternal goals! How a true intellectual must be! It will be blasphemy to chain him down in this house.
Back to our previous lives now. Oh yes I have some readings I need to catch up with. I just need to…
玛丽亚 – Maria
It struck me last night (Tuesday, Nov. 5) as I watched Act III that Vanya, in his blow-up with Alexander, might be committing a cardinal sin of family arguments by mentioning money. The Professor opens the door to this by his proposal to sell the estate but … after all he is the Professor. He’s allowed to break rules no one else can break. But I found myself wondering how the gauche discussion of salaries and compensation for the work *you* and Vanya and Sonya have done for him just hits Maria in a particular way.
Love the way you talk about conviction and eternal goals. It brings Maria’s jab at Vanya in Act I together with the Professor’s last pronouncement about “DO something with your lives.” At the same time it reveals a question: what has SHE done?
Jules