Handwritten 8 page letter to Ekaterina Erastovna Zborovskai͡a describing the life of the Imperial family in Tsarskoe Selo. Includes a dried pressed flower affixed to the last page with a small metal pin (just before the last line).

Rough English translation:

No. 8 1917. 4 July 6 p.m.

Thank you very much, Katia, my sweetheart, for your letter no. 9 of 15 June. It hurts and saddens me so much that letters nos. 7 and 8 have been lost, and I never received them. I always look forward to your letters. They take an awfully long time to get here. Often, very often we think of you all and miss you. It is so sad that all your people have left!… What are you doing now? Hearty thanks to Vlad[imir] and Zhenia for their regards; pass my regards on to them too. We are all fine, in good health. We continue working in the garden. The weather is not hot these days, but kind of strange and stuffy. – I guess that it was quite a sight when you were running after your hat; I wish I could have seen it!… I will be waiting for your picture. Were the pictures taken of you alone or with somebody else? What are Iuzik and his friends are going to do now? I am sorry that you will not be together! Pass on somehow our regards to all of them and wish them all the best from us. I believe that the best idea is to send me letters through Sidor., as they most likely will reach us this way, right? I will also use this way for my letters. How is your Mama doing? Kiss her many times for me. I often think how we saw each other in the hospital, and how both of you visited us. “Jim” is in good health, and he is very nice. Our hammocks in the room and in the garden are wonderful and we continue swinging in them. We also have a small swing in the room, which we ourselves fixed on the gymnastic rings. And the rest is the same. – I am writing now after a walk. We have already had tea, and now I have some free time. Later I will have more lessons; they are not exactly real [lessons], because in the daytime we have reading. Are you still studying with the boys? Do you get letters from Ver. Georg. Malts.? She is living here now. The hospitals were closed; it is such a pity, right? Well, she is going to work somewhere. Vera has probably covered most of the news, although nothing special had happened here. I will wait for your two letters anyway, they might reach us sometime. How are your brother and other people doing? Are you still roller-skating? Do you still remember Magyar or there is anybody else, huh?!… Pass on my congratulations to Alek. A. on his birthday, though you will probably get this boring letter too late, well, anyway. We often hear the bells of the good cathedral and feel so sad, but it is always nice to remember the good times, right? Now I have to finish [this letter]. I have to read and do my homework, though I do not have too much [work]. My sisters have just come and kiss you. My brother sends his regards. I send my warmest regards to your brother. Well, I wish you all the best, my dear Katia. I will be waiting to hear from you. May the Lord be with you. I kiss you many times, and also your Mama. Yours, A[nastasiia]

My sisters and I send our warmest regards to everybody.

I apologize for this stupid letter, but I am […] today.