Handwritten 4 page letter to Ekaterina Erastovna Zborovskai͡a describing the life of the Imperial family in Tsarskoe Selo. Includes original envelope.

Rough English translation:

No. 12 31 July 1917

Thank you so much, Katia, my darling, for letter no. 15; I was so happy to get it. My sister thanks you for the card and the rest thank you for your regards, and they also send you their warmest regards. How is your work in the kitchen and as a maid? I wish I could see how it looks. I am writing now while sitting on the window[-sill]. We have just had dinner, and now we all are busy with different things. It is warm now. These days the weather was hot; it is so nice. We still work in the garden every day. We have done a lot. Some days we do not have much work to do; then we sit and watch the other people working and eat sour yellow rowan-berries. I have to apologize for this disgusting and messy letter, I am sitting uncomfortably and cannot find the right place. The birds are flying, the air is quiet, and the weather is cozy. “Zubrovka [the cat] is running around my feet, and her kittens are sitting near me. “Jim” always attacks them, so I have to take him away. How are your Mama and brother doing? We think of you a lot and for a long time and often talk about you!… What else are you doing? We have been awfully bitten by mosquitoes and other similar nasty things! When is Vict[or] going to leave? How is everybody? Tell your brother that we often think of last year!!! Has Vera left for her place? How is Vlad. doing? Have you taken pictures with your amateur camera or not? If you have [a picture] even of that kind, I would like to have one. It turns out that the hospital will be established in the building from which you talked to me by phone; the one where you generally stayed, do you understand me? Well I hope they will not destroy it. – Well, Katia, sweetheart, my sisters are calling me; it is time to finish [this letter]. I wish you all the best. We all send our regards to you all. I kiss your Mama and you, my darling, many times. Warm regards to your brother. I remember you always and love you. A[nastasiia]