*Maria's Letter To Olga*
22 April/5 May, 1918, Ekaterinburg
[To my sister, Olga, still in Tobolsk: ] Christ is Risen!
I kiss you three times in my mind, my dear Olga, and send you my congratulations for Easter. I hope you spend the feast quietly. Please give my greetings to everyone. I am writing to you sitting on Papa's bed. Mama is still lying down as she is very tired and has her no. 3 heart. The three of us slept in a cozy white room with four large windows. The sun is shining as it does in our hall. The window is open and we can hear the twittering of the birds and an electric tramway. Everything around is quiet. In the morning the May 1st manifestation took place and we heard the music. We are living on the ground floor, there is a wooden fence all round so we can only see the crosses on the cupolas of the churches on the square. Nyuta [Demidova, Mama's maid] is sleeping in the dining room and Botkin, Sednev and Chemodurov in the large drawing room. The prince was not allowed to join us, I do not know why and I feel very upset for him. They are sleeping on beds brought yesterday for both them and the guards. The house is owned by the Ipatievs. I kiss you tenderly and bless you my darling. Your old Masha.
