The Rostóv family is thrilled to receive a letter from Nicholas.
Summary:
It was long since the Rostóvs had news of Nicholas, but in midwinter they received a letter from him. He sustained a little wound, but he had been made an officer and was well now, he told them. Receiving this letter was a tremendously emotional and happy event for them. They were proud of his valor in battle and his promotion but sad to learn of his wound. Nicholas’ letter was read over hundreds of times, and the Countess did not let it out of her hands. Sónya wonders if she should write Nicholas herself. (Natásha has no need to write Borís, because she has forgotten about him by now.) For more than a week, the family got ready letters, money and all things necessary for the uniform and equipment of the newly commissioned officer. The letters, money for his outfit and various other things would be sent to his son by way of the Grand Duke’s courier to Borís who would forward everything to Nicholas.
quote from the chapter:
Natásha looked at Sónya with wondering and inquisitive eyes, and said nothing. She felt that Sónya was speaking the truth, that there was such love as Sónya was speaking of. But Natásha had not yet felt anything like it. She believed it could be, but did not understand it.
Shall you write to him? she asked.
Sónya became thoughtful. The question of how to write to Nicholas, and whether she ought to write, tormented her. Now that he was already an officer and a wounded hero, would it be right to remind him of herself and, as it might seem, of the obligations to her he had taken on himself?
I don’t know. I think if he writes, I will write too, she said, blushing.
And you won’t feel ashamed to write to him?
Sónya smiled.
Book 3, Chapter 6
The Rostóv family is thrilled to receive a letter from Nicholas.
Summary:
It was long since the Rostóvs had news of Nicholas, but in midwinter they received a letter from him. He sustained a little wound, but he had been made an officer and was well now, he told them. Receiving this letter was a tremendously emotional and happy event for them. They were proud of his valor in battle and his promotion but sad to learn of his wound. Nicholas’ letter was read over hundreds of times, and the Countess did not let it out of her hands. Sónya wonders if she should write Nicholas herself. (Natásha has no need to write Borís, because she has forgotten about him by now.) For more than a week, the family got ready letters, money and all things necessary for the uniform and equipment of the newly commissioned officer. The letters, money for his outfit and various other things would be sent to his son by way of the Grand Duke’s courier to Borís who would forward everything to Nicholas.
quote from the chapter:
Natásha looked at Sónya with wondering and inquisitive eyes, and said nothing. She felt that Sónya was speaking the truth, that there was such love as Sónya was speaking of. But Natásha had not yet felt anything like it. She believed it could be, but did not understand it.
Shall you write to him? she asked.
Sónya became thoughtful. The question of how to write to Nicholas, and whether she ought to write, tormented her. Now that he was already an officer and a wounded hero, would it be right to remind him of herself and, as it might seem, of the obligations to her he had taken on himself?
I don’t know. I think if he writes, I will write too, she said, blushing.
And you won’t feel ashamed to write to him?
Sónya smiled.
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