Khortiza, October 30, 1919

No help in sight! Deepening of the distress!

Many Anarchists are falling sick of camp-fever. Little wonder! These men observe no rules of hygiene whatsoever.

But we all arc becoming a prey to this contagious malady. And we have no means of prevention. We have no soap, no change of underwear. Even combs and razors are lacking. We look like savages, with unkempt hair and neglected beards. I, however, possess a razor which I keep hidden, but it is impossible to use it because if I should appear clean shaven they would know that I had a razor and surely would take it away.

In our house, too, there are three men sick. Marguerite takes care of them regardless of the fact that they are our enemies. She does not stop to think that they are our tormentors but is nursing them with earnest concern. Even things that somehow had been hidden in dark corners she does not retain. She offers them the last canned cherries. She makes tea for the thirsty sick men as often as they want it, although she nearly breaks down from exhaustion herself.

While the fat fellow accepts all as if it were his due, Fedya is moved by a deep gratitude. He feels that he is passing the crisis now and wants to show his appreciation of the faithful care. Thus, he gave to Marguerite a hundred ruble note. He says she has saved him; without that care he would have been dead.