Мертвые души
Chapter 4
”
“ButIMUSTgo,”repliedthebrother-in-law.“Don’ttrytohinderme.Youareannoyingmegreatly.”
“Rubbish!Wearegoingtoplayagameofbanker.”
“No,no.Youmustplayitwithoutme,myfriend.Mywifeisexpectingmeathome,andImustgoandtellherallaboutthefair.Yes,IMUSTgoifIamtopleaseher.Donottrytodetainme.”
“Yourwifebe—ButhaveyouREALLYanimportantpieceofbusinesswithher?”
“No,no,myfriend.Therealreasonisthatsheisagoodandtrustfulwoman,andthatshedoesagreatdealforme.ThetearsspringtomyeyesasIthinkofit.Donotdetainme.AsanhonourablemanIsaythatImustgo.OfthatIdoassureyouinallsincerity.”
“Oh,lethimgo,”putinChichikovunderhisbreath.“Whatusewillhebehere?”
“Verywell,”saidNozdrev,“though,damnit,Idonotlikefellowswholosetheirheads.”Thenheaddedtohisbrother-in-law:“Allright,Thetuk20.Offyougotoyourwifeandyourwoman’stalkandmaythedevilgowithyou!”
“DonotinsultmewiththetermThetuk,”retortedthebrother-in-law.“ToherIowemylife,andsheisadear,goodwoman,andhasshownmemuchaffection.AttheverythoughtofitIcouldweep.Yousee,shewillbeaskingmewhatIhaveseenatthefair,andtellheraboutitImust,forsheissuchadear,goodwoman.”
“Thenoffyougotoherwithyourpackoflies.Hereisyourcap.”
“No,goodfriend,youarenottospeakofherlikethat.Bysodoingyouoffendmegreatly—Isaythatsheisadear,goodwoman.”
“Thenrunalonghometoher.”
“Yes,Iamjustgoing.
