Handwritten 8 page letter to Ekaterina Erastovna Zborovskai͡a describing the life of the Imperial family in Tsarskoe Selo. A dried pressed flower affixed to the first page with a small metal pin.

Rough English translation:

8 - 9 June 1917

My warmest thanks to dear Katia for her congratulations and her sweet letter. I am writing to you sitting on a window[-sill]. My sisters went for a walk with Papa; the weather is very good, and it is even hot for Tsarskoe [Selo]. The lilacs, unfortunately, are fading already. I am thinking of the past; it was this time of the year they brought your brother to our hospital; then we saw you more often.

We went for a walk in the morning and watered our kitchen garden. We have already eaten radish and [green] onion; it was such a pleasure, and they seemed extremely delicious. My brother runs around a lot and pumps water on everybody rocking in the hammock. Generally, we get wet all over, but get dried off pretty fast in the sun. Mama sits on the grass and works. In the meanwhile I do not work at all, because I feel too lazy to work in this heat. I am going to bed. Good night.

Good morning sweet Katia!. We have just gotten out of bed, but it is already hot outside. The trucks with popping engines fly by our windows. Anastasiia is sitting here in the room and writing something; she asks me to kiss and hug you.

I can imagine how your brother gives himself airs as he is an aide-de-camp now. We all send him our warm and hearty regards, and we often think of him. What are Iuzik and Serg[ei] Iv[anovich] doing? Will they be together with A. A. and others? While I am writing to you, Jimmy has nicely settled near me on the floor. Ortino? is also lying somewhere; he is dying from the heat. Olga’s cat has two kittens pretty enough to eat; one of them is red and the other is gray; I feel strong desire to hug them. Is your brother still living with N.V.? Your Mama is definitely very pleased to see her old acquaintances. You probably do not remember any of them. I thank your Mama with all my heart for her congratulations and for remembering me. I send her my warmest regards. It is such a pity that Rimma is arriving in Petrograd when you all are not here. We talk about you often and a lot and think of all you dear ones, and remember all these good things… My sisters send their warmest regards, and I kiss you. I wish you all the best, sweetie.

M[aria]

I have just had a history lesson with Olga. We were studying in the hallway, because it is too hot in the rooms. Do you continue to study with the boys? I forgot to thank you very much for the rose petals that smell wonderful. It is time to finish [this letter], we are going to have breakfast. I have received a letter from A. K. today, and was very happy. I responded to it with Vera.