A. P. Chekhov: the story «Мальчики»

Anton Pavlovich Chekhov (1860–1904) was born on 29 January 1860 in Taganrog on the Sea of Azov, in a shopkeeper’s family. Life was hard and everyone helped the father, yet all the children got an education. In 1868–1879 he studied at the Taganrog gymnasium, then entered the medical faculty of Moscow University and earned money by writing funny short stories. His first story, «Письмо к учёному соседу», was printed in 1880 in the magazine «Стрекоза». After the university he worked in many hospitals; as a village doctor he met peasants, landowners, officials, actors, teachers, which is why his stories are truthful and engaging. He died in 1904 of tuberculosis. In «Мальчики» the schoolboy Volodya comes home on holiday with his friend Chechevitsyn. They plan to run away to America. Volodya cries thinking of his mother but goes along; they are caught in the town and brought back.