As winter (1894/85) moves toward spring, the Breckinridges settles into a routine.

You want to know something of our home life. It is very monotonous and nothing like as pleasant as it was [in the United States].

Letter to Lily, March 10, 1895, St. Petersburg

The day starts with breakfast at eight o’clock (or nine when the family is under the weather). Then French lessons for KCB and CRB with the governess and the tutor, Mr. Boggs. The children have their lessons after their parents finish with French. Lunch (or dejeuner) is usually around 1 o’clock (or when Clifton returns from the Legation). After dejeuner, afternoon exercise for the children with their teachers. Clifton returns to the Legation while KCB makes calls, receives visitors, or does a bit of sewing. If KCB has no calls, visitors, or sewing, then she indulges in a sleigh ride.

I have hardly done anything I was not obliged to do but have been obliged to do a good deal I did not want to do, and it has all been a great burden.

Letter to Rachel, March 13, 1895, St. Petersburg

At various times during her letters from this period, KCB complains about the grey and snowy depression of Saint Petersburg and celebrates the rare appearance of the sun.

… now that the sun shines once more, I will feel stronger and have more energy.

Letter to Rachel, March 13, 1895, St. Petersburg

Mary and Lees are enrolled in a dance class. It is a small group of girls around Mary and Lees’ ages and “meets at the house of different mothers.” KCB tells her aunt that she enrolled them in the class because “the little girls were so alone … and they seemed as if they would pine away with homesickness.” KCB describes the dances the girls are learning as “character dances” and says that the teacher gives preference to the minuté as well as old-fashioned dances of Russia and Poland.

Don’t think … I am unappreciative of our advantages here …

Letter to Susanna Preston Lees, March 19, 1895, St. Petersburg