[The commandant said that "he is new here" and I had a hunch. I retold the [NKVD] chief the story I heard from Anna Perzhovskaya: my sister's family and me were exiled to the village of Malava and sent to the tree cutting where my brother-in-law was killed by a log and my sister died in childbirth. And I am wearing the brother-in-law's clothes.
"Malava... In what district is it?
I was at lost. And unwittingly lowered the eyes. But what is it? Under my feet there is a paper, an envelope folded as a triangle. I unwittingly read the address, "Johan Strauss, the village of Yuvala, Kozhushensky District."]
... I distinctly say looking into his eyes, "Malava, Kozhushinsky district!"
The commandant nods affirming.
I, as if by chance drop my cap and bowing to take the triangle of letter together with the cap.